Argentina’s Stolen Children – The Crimes of the Military Dictatorship

This documentary examines the systematic abduction and murder of approximately 30,000 individuals in Argentina by the military junta led by General Jorge Videla, which governed from March 1976. A specific focus is placed on the fate of children born to or abducted with approximately 500 pregnant women or new mothers who were among the disappeared.

The program investigates the discovery that many of these children were secretly adopted by families with connections to the military, sometimes by individuals implicated in the crimes against their biological parents. It chronicles the decades-long efforts of mothers and grandmothers to locate their missing loved ones and the experiences of the now-adult children as they confront their origins and past circumstances.

Key Themes & Topics Examined

• The systematic repression and human rights violations under Argentina’s military dictatorship (1976-1983).
• The practice of stealing children from political prisoners and their subsequent re-education under new identities.
• The long-term impact of state-sponsored violence on individuals and families.
• The role of human rights organizations, such as the Mothers and Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, in seeking truth and justice.
• The process of identity recovery and reconciliation for individuals affected by these historical events.

Archival & Investigative Sources

• Testimonies from affected families, including mothers, grandmothers, and the stolen children themselves.
• Historical records and investigative findings related to the military dictatorship’s actions.
• Documentation of the search efforts and legal processes undertaken to identify and reunite families.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the period of the military dictatorship in Argentina?

The military dictatorship in Argentina, led by General Jorge Videla, began in March 1976 and lasted for several years.

How many people were estimated to have been abducted and murdered by the regime?

Approximately 30,000 people were abducted and murdered by the military regime’s security forces.

What happened to the children of the disappeared?

Many children of the disappeared, including those born to imprisoned pregnant women, were secretly adopted by families with ties to the military and raised under new identities.

Who has been instrumental in searching for these children?

Mothers and grandmothers of the disappeared have been central to the search for their loved ones for decades.