Bonafini was the mother of two children who disappeared during the dictatorship and for decades she worked as an activist and human rights defender within the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo. Three days of national mourning have been declared in Argentina.
The Chair of the association Mothers of Plaza de MayoHebe de Bonafini, passed away on Sunday at 93 years old, with a few days to go before he turns 94 years old, according to Argentine media reports. The government of Argentina has declared three days of national mourning for his death.
Bonafini was mother of two children who disappeared during the dictatorship and for decades she worked as an activist and human rights defender within the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo.
During her more than four decades of activism, the revolutionary housewife not only put Argentina’s last civil-military dictatorship (1976-1983) against the ropes, but eventually became a world leader in the fight for human rights.
30,000 missing
And no wonder: together with hundreds of other mothers and grandmothers, so was Hebe de Bonafini the visible face of the demonstrations to find those who disappeared during the so-called “national reorganization process”, some 30,000 people, including political and social activists, trade unionists, students and artists, according to estimates by human rights organizations.
He founded the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo association 1979 to make visible disappearance of people during the last dictatorship, on which a national university institute, a newspaper, a radio, a cultural house, a bookstore currently depend, and manages a cultural center that previously housed the clandestine ESMA center. She was the promoter of the Search for babies stolen by the Argentine dictatorship and referent of the movement each time one was found.
She wanted to be remembered as a mother who fought “not just for her children, but for all of them.”
He managed to become a figure recognized around the world as fighter for justice and historical memory. In 1998, when the music group u2 visited Argentina, the members visited the Mothers and invited them to come on stage during their presentation. over there, Hebe gave her white scarf to Bonoinspired by this struggle with his membership in Amnesty International, an image that went around the world.
Awarded dozens awards Around the world, Hebe de Bonafini was always very clear about how she wanted to be remembered after her death: as a mother who fought “not just for her children, but for all of them”.
Argentina’s current vice president, who was also president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner wrote an emotional text on her official Twitter profile:
Dearest Hebe, Mother of Plaza de Mayo, world symbol of the struggle for human rights, pride of Argentina. God called you on the day of National Sovereignty…it shouldn’t be a coincidence. Just thank you and always. pic.twitter.com/TVUfmywmAi
— Cristina Kirchner (@CFKArgentina) November 20, 2022
From Euskal Herria, the coordinator of EH Bildu, Arnaldo Otegi also wants to acknowledge the figure of Bonfini:
Hebe de Bonafini leaves after a life of searching and struggle, a life of solidarity in which she did not lack time to defend the Basque prisoners and their families.
All our appreciation and our condolences to his family and to all Argentinian people. #HebeEterna pic.twitter.com/hXDj8gmHtm
— Arnaldo Otegi (@ArnaldoOtegi) November 20, 2022
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Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
