Nora Cortiñas, a global leader in the defense of human rights for her work as one of the founders of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo organization after the kidnapping and disappearance of her son during the last military dictatorship in Argentina, died on Thursday at He is 94 years old, his family confirmed.
The militant had undergone a hernia operation on May 17 at the Morón Hospital in Buenos Aires. Due to previous pathologies, her health deteriorated and she remained in intensive care until her death, as detailed by her family in a statement.
“Nora was accompanied and supported by the love of her family until the last moment and we appreciate all the expressions of recognition and affection that she received throughout her life,” said the Cortiñas family.
“Norita”, as she was nicknamed, was part of the original group of mothers who came together to demand the whereabouts of their missing children in the first years of the regime (1976-1983) in the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, in front of the Goverment house.
His son Gustavo, a Peronist youth activist, had been kidnapped in April 1977. His name is on the list of 30,000 missing people—according to human rights organizations—as a result of the repressive plan carried out by the Armed Forces against dissidents.
With a white scarf covering their hair, the women began to walk around the Mayo pyramid because the police did not allow them to stay still.
After the return of democracy in 1983, Cortiñas separated from the original group and founded Madres de Plaza de Mayo Línea Fundadora.
He never recovered his son’s remains, but as a social leader he fought tirelessly to bring the military to court to be tried for crimes against humanity. He also worked in favor of state policies for memory, truth and justice.
“With deep pain, we say goodbye to our sister in struggle Nora Cortiñas, an undisputed reference of the human rights movement in Argentina,” highlighted the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo organization, also mothers of the disappeared who to this day seek to recover the approximately 500 grandchildren born during the dictatorship and illegally adopted by soldiers and relatives.
“Solidarity with all the struggles of the country and the world, she knew how to connect with the young generations, who recognize her as an example of coherence and militancy,” he added.
Until his last days, Cortiñas fought not only for human rights, but also became involved in the fight for the decriminalization of abortion, the defense of culture, against the payment of foreign debt and the protection of indigenous peoples, among other causes.
He also supported the identification of the Argentine soldiers buried as NN in the Darwin cemetery of the Malvinas Islands, who fell during the war against Great Britain for the sovereignty of that South Atlantic archipelago in 1982.
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channels Youtube, WhatsApp and to the newsletter. Turn on notifications and follow us on Facebook, x and instagram.
Add Comment