Argentina - June 2024

As femicide rates rise in Argentina, the government has dissolved the office of the Under-Secretary for Gender Violence Protection, the last state entity dedicated to gender policy and particularly tasked with preventing gender violence and supporting victims. The government  claimed that the entity was a politicized organization promoting an ideological agenda, and had been unsuccessful in eradicating gender-based violence. This move, following the earlier elimination of the Ministry of Women, Genders, and Diversities, represents a significant setback for gender equality in the country. Critics argue this decision leaves Argentina without the necessary institutional framework to combat gender-based violence, in violation of Law 26.485, the national protection law to prevent, punish and eradicate violence against women. Under President Milei's administration, significant budget cuts have further undermined public programs supporting women and gender minorities, sparking outrage from feminist and human rights organizations. Despite these concerns, the administration continues to dismantle gender equality initiatives, even as violence against women peaks, with a femicide occurring every 35 hours.

Sources: International IDEA, Pagina 12, El Pais, Buenos Aires Herald, France 24   

On 12 June, a protest outside of the Senate against the approval of Javier Milei’s "Ley de Bases" led to clashes between protesters and police and a brutal response by public forces. Local and international human rights organizations have denounced the disproportionate use of force , including tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons. Additionally, there were multiple reports of police brutality against peaceful demonstrators, bystanders, journalists and even deputies present in the demonstration. 33 people were arbitrarily detained and charged with offences including incitement to collective violence, and offences against public authorities and the constitutional order. Furthermore, the Minister of Security and the President publicly stated that the detained individuals were "terrorists” that attempted to commit a “coup d’etat”. Amidst ongoing protests, some detainees have been released, but concerns over human rights violations remain, with local and international bodies criticizing the government's response and criminalization of dissent, condemning it as a threat to civil liberties.

Sources: Amnesty International, Pagina 12, El Pais CR, Buenos Aires Herald, Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales