In a 19 September 1996 telephone interview, the director of the Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (Centre for Legal and Social Studies) in Buenos Aires provided the following information.

The Franja Morada (Purple Fringe or Purple Stripe) came into existence in 1918, when students were given the right to participate in the administration of universities. The Franja Morada is the student wing of the Union Civica Radical (UCR, Radical Civic Union), a long-established centre-left political party. The UCR is the second-largest political party in Argentina. Not only is it well-represented in the National Congress, but holds the majority in four provincial governments, as well as the post of mayor in Buenos Aires.

The Franja Morada is neither a Marxist nor an extreme leftist organization, although at times it may take more radical positions than the UCR due to the youth of its members. Ultimately, the student wing responds to the political agenda of the parent party.

The majority of student representatives who sit on the governing councils of the 36 state-run universities are members of Franja Morada, and gained their posts democratically, through student elections. The source noted that there have been violent incidents at protests organized by Franja Morada or that included Franja Morada participants, but these disturbances were caused by radical groups that are not affiliated to Franja Morada. The source stated his opinion that members of Franja Morada are not subject to mistreatment by public authorities.

Please consult the attached translation of an 18 March 1996 media report on the recent student elections in Argentina, which also names some of the current leaders of Franja Morada.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (Centre for Legal and Social Studies), Buenos Aires. 19 September 1996. Telephone interview with director.

Clarin Digital [Buenos Aires, in Spanish]. 18 March 1996. "Franja Morada Wins Again." [Internet] , [Internet] , [Accessed 9 Sept. 1996]. Translated by the Multilingual Translation Directorate, Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada.