A Victim-driven Approach to Confront Crimes of the Powerful and State Crime

• In Event: Terrorism and/as State Crime

Abstract

Exploring how to deal with state crimes, the experience of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo in Argentina appears as an example of a successful strategy conducted by the victims themselves. Based on this case, I develop the notion of a victim-driven approach by exploring those elements of the Grandmothers’ successful struggle that might be useful to enhance victims’ organizations in other parts of the globe.
The case of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo has been extensively discussed but most commentators have focused on two aspects: its “uniqueness” and its “meaningful participation” in the transitional justice process. I challenge the traditional commentary by concentrating on the complexity and challenges of the Grandmother’s experience and its potential to be replicated. I also propose replacing the traditional goal of ‘meaningful participation’ – focused on a victim-centered or victim-oriented perspective - by means of a victim-driven approach. To do this, I analyze the achievements of the Grandmothers by showing their independent work during a variety of political circumstances at the national level and how they did not “took part” in a governmental or internationally-conducted transitional justice process but they faced, conducted and challenged state crimes through independent work.

Author

• Valeria Vegh Weis, Buenos Aires University