During the last military dictatorship (1976-1983) in Argentina massive human rights violations were committed against the civilian population. It was the cruelest dictatorship that the country had ever suffered. At the time, a systematic plan of forced disappearances was carried out, which included the kidnapping of around 500 babies and children.

These babies and children were either abducted along with their parents or they were born during the illegal detention of their mothers in clandestine detention centers. They were separated from their families and appropriated under another identity. Until now they continue to be disappeared and have their forged identities.

Relatives of the victims quickly began to gather at the Plaza de Mayo to demand that the whereabouts of their disappeared children and grandchildren were disclosed. This led to the foundation of Mothers and Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, human rights organizations that are nowadays recognized in Argentina and around the world.

After democracy was restored on December 10, 1983, the plea of the Grandmothers for the restitution of their grandchildren to their legitimate families slowly found responses from some governmental agencies. 1987 saw the foundation of the National Genetic Data (BNDG), where the genetic information of all families looking for their missing grandchildren is kept.

To date 130 grandchildren have restored their identities thanks to the tireless struggle of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo and together with the Argentine State. These people recovered their family history and their right to identity and the right to know the truth about what happened.

Nevertheless, there are still around 350 people whose identity remains to be resolved, and their relatives and the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo are still looking for them.

These people are young adults aged between 40 and 45 years old, who may have migrated for multiple reasons and may be living in any corner of the world and carrying false identities. Many of them are perhaps parents, or even grandparents.

The Argentine State, through its Ministry for Foreign Relations, International Trade and Worship, has joined this search by launching the “International Campaign for the Right to Identity”. #ArgentinaTeBusca (Argentina Looks for You).

You have the right to identity. You have a right to the truth. Dispel your doubts. Help us to find you.

If you reside in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar and have doubts or queries, you can contact this Embassy.

If you reside in another country, you can contact the nearest Argentine Embassy or Consulate.