Claudia Poblete, one of the 133 “recovered grandchildren” of Argentina, shares her story of being abducted during the military dictatorship in the 1970s. Poblete, formerly known as Mercedes Landa, was taken as a baby and raised by a military couple who kept her true identity a secret. She was reunited with her biological family after a DNA test confirmed her origins.
Poblete, along with other recovered grandchildren, has faced challenges in coming to terms with their past and rebuilding their identities. The Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, a human rights organization, played a crucial role in locating these abducted children and reuniting them with their families.
The Catholic Church in Argentina has also been implicated in the illegal adoptions that occurred during the dictatorship. Several priests and nuns were aware of these practices, and complicity within the church has raised questions about its involvement in human rights violations.
The National Commission for the Right to Identity and the National Genetic Data Bank were established to aid the Grandmothers in their search for missing children. These organizations help individuals suspected of being abducted as babies find their true identities through DNA testing.
Overall, the story of Claudia Poblete and other recovered grandchildren highlights the ongoing impact of the Argentine dictatorship on families and individuals. Their journey towards truth and reconciliation serves as a powerful reminder of the need for justice and accountability in the face of past atrocities.
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