The recent statements by former vice president and senator-elect Lucía Topolansky, who suggested that “There are people who lie in their statements” on the crimes against humanity committed during the last civil-military dictatorship in Uruguay, have unleashed strong rejection.
Various organizations, especially the Association of Mothers and Relatives of Detained and Disappeared Uruguayanshave expressed their repudiation, considering that his words attack the legitimacy of a process of searching for truth and justice that has been sustained over the years.
The association, which represents the families of the victims, sees in these statements an attempt to undermine the credibility of those who have experienced abuse and torture. Its members stated that these statements damage the republican system, given that they come from a highly relevant public figure, such as an elected senator. It is emphasized that the testimonies collected over the years have been key instruments in ensuring that more than a hundred repressors are convicted.
Courage of victims and the role of justice
The fight of the victims has been fundamental to achieve significant advances in the judicial field. According to the statement from the Association of Mothers and Relatives, the courage of those who have reported these violations is what has allowed sentences to be achieved in favor of the victims. “They are the victims of torture, sexual abuse and inhuman treatment, who have had the courage to denounce and tell their truth before justice”they stressed, remembering the suffering and re-victimization they face in the process.
Although there is a possibility that some testimonies are false, the organization maintains that this uncertainty should not serve to delegitimize the majority of those who have spoken. As they indicated, questioning the veracity of the victims’ statements raises questions about the true intentions behind these claims. “Who do these statements favor? What is your goal?”the family members questioned, emphasizing that such statements appear to protect those who perpetrated the crimes.
Reaction of the Frente Amplio to Topolansky’s statements
Given the controversy, the National Political Table of the Broad Front (FA) issued a statement in which it distanced itself abysmally from Topolansky’s statements, reaffirming its commitment to the defense of human rights. In this document, the FA emphasizes its “unwavering commitment to the defense of human rights and its absolute condemnation of crimes against humanity.”
The political force urged those who have relevant information to present it to the corresponding authorities, reaffirming the importance of maintaining respect for historical memory.
The FA also expressed its support for the Mothers and Relatives of Disappeared Detaineeshighlighting that their fight represents a collective cause that requires the commitment of all sectors in Uruguay. They emphasized that “respect for historical memory is not only an act of justice towards the victims and their families, but also an essential condition to consolidate a full democracy, based on truth and human rights.”
The FA statement concludes with a reaffirmation of confidence in judicial processes regarding human rights, urging that information about possible violations be channeled correctly. “For memory, truth and justice and never again state terrorism. Always on the side of human rights”they closed, reflecting the need to maintain the fight for justice and truth.
