The State Workers' Association (ATE) requested a report from the National Government regarding the alleged "destruction" of historical files of the Argentine Armed Forces. The formal request was directed to the Ministry of Defense, led by Luis Petri, following the order to transfer the files to a new location with the purpose of purging the information and the possibility of shredding documents.
Rodolfo Aguiar, the union's general secretary, stated that they became aware of the situation through an internal communication in the ministry's GEDE system, which led the workers to be on alert. Aguiar mentioned that they believe current laws of the country are being violated and they seek to prevent the destruction of evidence, which is why they have decided to take action in this regard.
In a statement, ATE demands clarification on the criteria used to order the transfer of files to ensure the preservation of relevant documentation. Aguiar criticized this decision as a maneuver to delay the delivery of evidence requested by the judiciary and asserted that the Navy's actions in this process of purging and destroying documents are unacceptable, as they involve valuable information for building a democracy based on the clarification and punishment of crimes committed during the military dictatorship.
The union considers this measure an attack on human rights policies and highlights the denialist stance of the ruling party. Furthermore, they claim that it is a strategy to legitimize practices of persecution, imprisonment, and torture against opposing groups, as well as against individuals with critical views towards the government. ATE underscores the importance of the intervention of the General Archive of the Nation in any document selection process, given its role as the governing body of all files in the country.
In the request for information addressed to Minister Petri and other high-ranking Navy officials, the union emphasizes the necessity of preventing evidence destruction and recalls that the "adjustment and dismantling" in the current administration has led to the dismissal of the entire team responsible for surveying and analyzing the Armed Forces' files, people whose work was essential for providing documentation in cases related to crimes against humanity.
