Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay to share dictatorship files

Brazil has signed agreements with Uruguay and Argentina to exchange information on human rights violations committed during the military dictatorship in the three countries. The purpose is to the creation of memory and uncover the facts about the period in those countries.

Signed on Wednesday (Jan. 29) by representatives of the three countries attending the 2nd Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Havana, Cuba, the agreements consist of identical bilateral treaties. The documents establish that countries can cooperate with each other to investigate “human rights violations in the recent past” and solve cases of “forced disappearances and other serious violations.”

Brazil's Foreign Ministry said the government regards the agreements as critical advancements towards “elucidating recent periods in the history of these three countries,” which will contribute “greatly toward bolstering democracy.”

Moreover, they are expected the efforts of the National Truth Commission created to investigate crimes committed during the Brazilian dictatorship.

The military ruled Brazil between 1964 and 1985, Argentina from 1976 to 1983, and Uruguay from 1973 to 1985.

Translated by Mayra Borges