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10 February 2011 | | |

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Retired military officers threatened journalist in Uruguay

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The group Foro Libertad y Concordia is made up by retired Uruguayan military officers. In the past weeks, they have been making headlines due to their threats to disregard court rulings related to the violation of human rights that took place during the dictatorship, between 1973 and 1985.

As if these signs of arrogance mixed with helplessness weren’t enough, the military officers are now recognizing their links with the extreme right, and want to bring some of their old practices back.

Journalist Roger Rodriguez, specialized in investigations about human rights violations, published details about the creation of a Facebook group to support the military officers association.

The article provides details about the links of these military officers with Uruguayan and International right-wing groups. In fact, the Facebook group includes xenophobic comments and praises dictator Francisco Franco. In addition, it includes peculiar interpretations about the history of Uruguay and stories about supposed military victories.

As a result of the publication of this article, Hector Marcos Varela Gonzalez and Javier Bussi published personal information about the journalist such as his address, phone number, ID number, date of birth, the name of his parents, and a map to locate his home.

Human rights organizations and the Uruguayan Press Association expressed their concern over this intimidatory behavior by military officers.

The Peace and Justice Service (Serpaj) said that the publication of personal information is a threat to the safety of the journalist, and that it is a matter of concern for people who “seek justice and truth to strengthen democracy”.
Despite the threats, investigations on human rights violations in Uruguay continue. This week, 20 military officers were brought to court for the disappearance of communist activist and unionist Horacio Gelos Bonilla in 1976.

Also, a group of anthropologists resumed their work excavating Army fields to locate the remains of victims of the dictatorship. This is being carried out as part of a case investigating the disappearance of Maria Claudia Garcia de Gelman, daughter-in-law of Argentinian poet Juan Gelman.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/diegobattiste/

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