Dictatorships are often characterized by the systematic violation of human rights. Under these regimes, fundamental freedoms such as freedom of expression, assembly, and the press are commonly restricted. Furthermore, repressive policies are implemented, including enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial executions.

In the case of Argentina, the last civil-military dictatorship (1976-1983) left deep wounds in society, with approximately 30,000 people missing and more than 500 clandestine detention centers. This period was also marked by an economic shift that benefited powerful sectors while any form of opposition was repressed.

Dictatorships leave deep social scars that can last for generations. Some of the most common consequences include:

• Collective trauma: Repression, enforced disappearances, and torture have a lasting psychological impact on the victims and their families, as well as on society at large.
• Distrust in institutions: Dictatorships often weaken the credibility of state institutions, as they are perceived as tools of oppression rather than protection.
• Social polarization: Authoritarian regimes tend to divide society between those who support the regime and those who reject it, which can generate tensions and conflicts even after its fall.
• Loss of social fabric: Censorship and repression limit communities' ability to organize and express themselves, weakening social ties.
• Economic inequality: Many dictatorships implement economic policies that benefit certain sectors, exacerbating inequalities and leaving large groups in poverty.

In the case of Argentina, the last civil-military dictatorship (1976-1983) left a legacy of disappearances, fear, and mistrust, but also fostered human rights movements such as the Mothers and Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, who fight for memory, truth, and justice.

Human rights are systematically violated during dictatorships, which are characterized by the repression of the opposition.

Human Rights Violations

• Suspension of civil liberties and elections
• Abrogation of constitutional guarantees
• Repression of political opponents
• Torture and forced disappearances
• Rape, murder, forced exile
• Appropriation of minors
• Censorship of books, newspapers, magazines, songs, etc.
• Invasion of social rights, such as education, health, housing, and social security

Characteristics of Dictatorships

• Government by decree
• Failure to comply with rule of law procedures
• Cult of the leader's personality
• Use of force or fraud to obtain political power
• Intimidation and terror
• Mass propaganda to maintain public support

Importance of Human Rights

Human rights are universal, inalienable, and interdependent. They are the foundation of a free and just society, and guarantee equality, justice, and dignity for all people.