Number of disappeared during dictatorship rises to 205 following investigation advances, says Inddhh report

The ongoing pursuit of truth and justice regarding forced disappearances during Uruguay's dictatorship (1973-1985) has led to a somber update from the National Institute of Human Rights and Ombudsman (Inddhh). The institution's latest report reveals an increase in the number of individuals confirmed disappeared, rising from 197 to 205. This adjustment is a direct result of diligent investigations into a growing caseload.

Currently, the Inddhh is actively engaged in 243 investigations. Of these, 162 are classified as active cases, meaning the victims were subjected to forced disappearance and are being actively sought. The remaining 81 cases are in various stages of progress, awaiting conclusive evidence to either confirm forced disappearance by state agents or rule it out. Since taking on the mandate to search for the disappeared in 2020, the Inddhh has processed 326 complaints, successfully clarifying or discarding a portion of them.

The increase from the previously cited figure of 197, largely maintained by the organization Mothers and Families of Detained and Disappeared (Famidesa), highlights the persistent challenges in uncovering the full extent of state-sponsored violence. While eight new cases have been added to the tally – three active searches and five previously clarified but uncounted – the report emphasizes the inherent difficulty in establishing a definitive number. As Inddhh President Mariana Mota stated, "The exact number of victims of forced disappearance can only be known if the perpetrators inform and provide the data to locate them. In the meantime, it will always be an approximate and variable number."

This ongoing work is crucial for historical memory and for the families seeking closure. The Inddhh's meticulous approach, including the recent inclusion of a complaint filed in mid-April pertaining to an event over 50 years ago, underscores a commitment to leaving no stone unturned. The institution, led by former judge Mariana Mota, continues to be a vital entity in confronting the legacy of the dictatorship, ensuring that the silenced voices of the disappeared are not forgotten.

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The exact number of victims of forced disappearance can only be known if the perpetrators inform and provide the data to locate them. In the meantime, it will always be an approximate and variable number.