Abuelas

Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, commonly referred to as Abuelas, is an Argentine human rights organization founded in 1977 by grandmothers seeking information about their missing grandchildren during the Dirty War. The group is dedicated to truth and justice, the reunification of families, and the memory of those who disappeared under state violence.

Originating in Buenos Aires, Abuelas began by gathering at the Plaza de Mayo for vigils, documenting cases, and publicizing demands for accountability. Their activities expanded to legal advocacy, support for families, and international outreach. A central component of their work has been a long-running program to identify the grandchildren of the disappeared through genetic testing and genealogical research, in order to restore family ties that were severed by the dictatorship’s policies.

Methods and structure include collecting testimonies, archival research, legal petitions, and collaborations with scientists and institutions to determine biological relationships. The organization operates through a leadership body, typically a presidency and a board, with a network of volunteers and regional committees, and maintains public archives and education programs to promote memory and human rights.

Impact and legacy: Abuelas played a pivotal role in raising awareness of human rights violations and catalyzing legal and political reforms toward accountability and memory. They have identified and publicly acknowledged numerous grandchildren, supporting families in their pursuit of reunion. The organization remains active, continuing the search for unidentified grandchildren and advocating for justice and non-repetition of abuses.