International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights Inaugurated in Buenos Aires

Paris, 4 February

On 13 February, UNESCO’s Director-General, Koïchiro Matsuura, will preside over the inauguration in Buenos Aires, Argentina, of the International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights. Under the auspices of UNESCO, it will operate from buildings formerly occupied by ESMA, the Navy Mechanics School. During Argentina’s military dictatorship (1976-1983), ESMA became the largest centre for the detention and execution of civilians.

This ceremony will bring to a close UNESCO’s campaign to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The creation of the International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights was approved by UNESCO’s Executive Board in October 2008. According to human rights organizations, some 5000 ‘disappeared’ detainees were held at ESMA, of whom 90% were murdered. Other crimes were also committed there, including torture and the kidnapping of babies.

In 2004, the ensemble of buildings and grounds on the 17-hectare city-centre site was dedicated to the memory of the 30,000 disappeared victims of the last military government. The International Centre is due to open in 2010, to coincide with celebrations of the bicentenary of the Argentine Republic.

Among its aims, the new Centre intends to promote democratic governance, consolidate human rights and the pre-eminence of the values of life, liberty and human dignity.

The Centre will also be used to encourage information- and skill-sharing between governmental and non-governmental organizations, emphasizing South-South cooperation. It will be used to hold international workshops and conferences, as well as cultural and academic activities, aimed at informing stakeholders and raising awareness of the existence and importance of human rights.

• Author(s):Media Advisory N°2009-04
• Source:UNESCOPRESS
• 04-02-2009