NAS raps treatment of Argentine scientists

Contrary to hopes that conditions might be improving, science and scientists in Argentina are still "adversely affected" by "clear violations of human rights." Arbitrary dismissal from scientific posts, and arrests and disappearances of scientists continue, and there appears to be a "systematic campaign" by government officials to "gloss over repressive human rights actions in the guise of antisubversion and 'emergency action.' " On the other hand, in Uruguay there are some signs of "a change in attitude" by the military government. Officials may be moving toward greater respect for human rights and may consider releasing an internationally noted mathematician who has been imprisoned without trial for nearly three years and who has undergone torture. This picture of gloom and some light is painted by a three-member National Academy of Sciences' delegation that recently spent a week in Argentina and Uruguay. The first on-site visit organized by NAS's Committee on Human Rights to countries accused of ...