Prominent figure in anti-dictatorship struggle, Rosa Roisinblit, passes away at 106 years old

In the heart of Buenos Aires, Argentina, a beacon of resilience and determination, Rosa Roisinblit, a prominent figure in the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, has passed away at the age of 106.

Born in 1919 in Moises Ville, a Jewish immigrant village in central-east Argentina, Roisinblit was an obstetrician by trade. However, her life took a dramatic turn when her daughter Patricia Roisinblit and son-in-law José Pérez Rojo were kidnapped during Argentina's military dictatorship (1976-1983), on October 6, 1978.

Their 15-month-old daughter, Mariana, was returned to the family and raised by Rosa. Tragically, Patricia Roisinblit and José Pérez Rojo were never found.

Roisinblit's grandson, Guillermo, was one of the 140 children found by the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in 2000. Despite the fact that no Argentine government officials were convicted in 2000 for his kidnapping, specific convictions related to this case were part of broader investigations and trials over time. Three military officials responsible for his kidnapping were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 12 to 25 years.

Roisinblit attended the trial with her grandchildren Mariana and Guillermo. Her unwavering spirit was evident as she declared at the age of 97 that her fight would never end.

Roisinblit served as the vice-president of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo until 2021. Her dedication to the cause was shared by many, as evidenced by the tens of thousands of people who marched in Buenos Aires to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the 1976 military coup.

In 1981, Roisinblit joined the Grandmothers in their quest to demand the return of their disappeared children. According to the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, approximately 300 grandchildren born in captivity or kidnapped with their parents still need to be found.

The declassification of intelligence archives related to the dictatorship occurred on March 24, as announced by the government of Javier Milei. Many protesters denounced the "negationism of the government" due to austerity measures leading to job losses in the Human Rights Secretariat and memory sites.

Mariana, Rosa's granddaughter, posted a photo of them laughing on social media, a poignant reminder of the love and resilience that Roisinblit embodied throughout her life. To Roisinblit, her children who stood up against the dictatorship were heroes.

Rosa Roisinblit's legacy will continue to inspire those who fight for justice and human rights, a testament to her unwavering spirit and dedication.

Prominent figure in anti-dictatorship struggle, Rosa Roisinblit, passes away at 106 years old