Update to ARG36742.E of 28 March 2001 on whether individuals linked to the Children for Identity and Justice, Against Forgetting and Silence (Hijos por la Identidad y la Justicia, Contra el Olvido y el Silencio, HIJOS) have been subjected to threats, violence or detention; reports of a demonstration by HIJOS members in Mendoza in February 1999; whether police raided an HIJOS meeting in Mendoza in August 1999 (1999-July 2001) [ARG37355.E]

Very little information on threats, violence or the detention of individuals linked to the Children for Identity and Justice, Against Forgetting and Silence (Hijos por la Identidad y la Justicia, Contra el Olvido y el Silencio, HIJOS), further to that contained in ARG36742.E of 28 March 2001, could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, in late March 2001 HIJOS members were reportedly involved in a violent confrontation with individuals linked to the Radical Youth (Juventud Radical) and Franja Morada in the vicinity of the federal congress building in Buenos Aires (Diario Los Andes 25 Mar. 2001). A number of individuals were injured in the confrontation, which was allegedly provoked by HIJOS members armed with sticks and rocks (ibid.).

During the night of 12-13 April 2001, Carlos Antonio Bértola, a former member of HIJOS in La Plata, and another individual were injured when a bomb exploded in the car in which they were travelling (Página/12 14 Apr. 2001; El Tribuno 14 Apr. 2001). According to Página/12, citing police sources, the pair had allegedly intended to plant the bomb at an unknown location when it exploded prematurely (14 Apr. 2001). Both individuals were arrested following the incident, which took place in central Buenos Aires (ibid.; El Tribuno 14 Apr. 2001). No additional information on the investigation of this case could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

In a 1 August 2001 interview, a member of the Mendoza chapter of HIJOS stated that there were no demonstrations in Mendoza in February 1999 in which individuals linked to HIJOS were detained, nor was there any police raid of an HIJOS meeting in August 1999. The member added that individuals affiliated with the organization's Mendoza chapter have never had any serious problems with the police, and have never been subjected to arrest or assault at the hands of police officers.

No reports of HIJOS demonstrations in Mendoza in February 1999 or of a police raid of a Mendoza-area HIJOS meeting in August 1999 could be found among the documentary sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


Diario Los Andes [Mendoza]. 25 March 2000. "Acusan a Hijos por agresión y robos." http://200.42.142.23/ [Accessed 27 Mar. 2001]

Hijos por la Identidad y la Justicia, Contra el Olvido y el Silencio (HIJOS), Mendoza. 1 August 2001. Telephone interview with member.

Página/12 [Buenos Aires]. 14 April 2001. Raúl Kollmann. "Violentos y muy improvisados." http://www.pagina12.com.ar/ [Accessed 27 July 2001]

El Tribuno [Salta]. 14 April 2001. "Sospechas por una explosión." http://tribuno.salnet.com.ar [Accessed 27 July 2001]

Additional Sources Consulted


IRB databases.

Internet sites including:

Amnesty International.

Clarín [Buenos Aires]. 1998-2001.

Coordinadora contra la Represión Policial y Institucional.

Diario Los Andes [Mendoza]. Mar. 2001-July 2001.

La Gaceta [Tucumán]. Aug. 1999.

Human Rights Watch.

La Nación [Buenos Aires]. 1998-2001.

Página/12 [Buenos Aires]. Feb.; Aug. 1999.