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Argentina: Authorities must guarantee justice for Santiago Maldonado

News that a dead body found in a river in the state of Chubut, Argentina, is that of activist Santiago Maldonado, who was presumably forcibly disappeared, marks a tragic day for human rights and justice in the South American country, Amnesty International said today.

Maldonado was forcibly disappeared in a context of a demonstration on 1 August 2017 when militarized forces violently entered a Mapuche community.

In these tragic moments we stand hand in hand with Santiago´s family and will not rest until justice is done and all those responsible are brought to justice

Mariela Belski, Director at Amnesty International Argentina

“In these tragic moments we stand hand in hand with Santiago´s family and will not rest until justice is done and all those responsible are brought to justice”, said Mariela Belski, Director at Amnesty International Argentina.

“Authorities must now ensure that a full independent investigation is conducted to establish who was responsible for Santiago’s disappearance and death, who ordered it and who knew about it and failed to act.”

“Failing to guarantee justice, truth and reparation would be a clear indication of where the human rights agenda of the government is”

Failing to guarantee justice, truth and reparation would be a clear indication of where the human rights agenda of the government is

Mariela Belski, Director at Amnesty International Argentina