Argentine mothers mark 30 years

Many families are still waiting for answers about their loved ones

A march has been staged in Argentina by mothers of the "disappeared", marking 30 years since the start of a campaign demanding justice for their children.

The group marched overnight, holding photos of lost loved ones and torches.

For three decades, The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo have protested in front of the presidential palace in the capital, Buenos Aires.

Between 9,000 and 30,000 people were killed or disappeared during military rule from 1976 to 1983.

During the so-called "dirty war", the state carried out illegal detentions, torture and executions of alleged left-wing opponents. Many of the bodies have never been recovered.

Split

In 1986, the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo split into two factions - The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo Founding Line and The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo Association.

The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo Founding Line focused on the legal issues involved in recovering remains and bringing ex-officials to justice. The group has continued the annual marches.

In January 2006, The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo Association made their final annual resistance march, saying they no longer had an enemy in the presidential palace.

Leader Hebe de Bonafini referred to the good relations the group enjoys with President Nestor Kirchner, who has done much to revoke the immunity from prosecution of former military leaders.

The first civilian governments after military rule passed laws which allowed Dirty War suspects to walk free.

Mr Kirchner's government has re-opened hundreds of cases.

Source