CONADEP, which stands for National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons (Comisión Nacional sobre la Desaparición de Personas), was a governmental commission established in Argentina on December 15, 1983. Its primary objective was to investigate and document the human rights violations, specifically enforced disappearances, that occurred during the period of military dictatorship (1976-1983) known as the Dirty War.
The commission was composed of prominent intellectuals, lawyers, and human rights activists commissioned by the newly elected democratic government. CONADEP's primary mission was to gather evidence, testimonies, and documents related to the thousands of disappearances that took place during the military regime. Through their meticulous and thorough work, the commission aimed to shed light on the human rights abuses committed by the state and bring justice to the victims and their families.
CONADEP played a critical role in uncovering the truth about the atrocities committed during the Dirty War. It produced a detailed report known as the Nunca Más (Never Again) report, which included countless testimonies, photographs, and analyzed evidence of the systemic human rights violations that occurred. This document became a cornerstone in the prosecution of those responsible for the disappearances and helped initiate a national dialogue about the need for truth and reconciliation.
The work of CONADEP was instrumental in the subsequent trials of military personnel implicated in the disappearances, leading to accountability for the human rights violations committed during the Dirty War. Its legacy remains significant in Argentina's history, representing a crucial step towards upholding the principles of human rights, justice, and reconciling the painful chapters of the past.
