In brief
Rosa Roisinblit, an emblematic figure in the fight for human rights in Argentina, known for her unwavering dedication to finding children stolen during the Dirty War, has died at 106. A founding member of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, she tirelessly advocated for justice for the families affected by enforced disappearances. Her life and work inspire ongoing efforts to address human rights abuses.
The Argentine human rights activist Rosa Roisinblit has died at the age of 106, her organisation reports. An honorary president and founding member of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, Roisinblit was pivotal in searching for children stolen during Argentina's military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983.
In a heartfelt tribute, the Grandmothers group noted, 'We only have words of gratitude for her dedication and the love with which she searched for the grandsons and granddaughters until the very end.'
Roisinblit was born in 1919 in Moises Ville, a town of Jewish immigrants in Argentina. After marrying in 1951, she worked as an obstetrician in Buenos Aires. Her activism was ignited by personal tragedy when her daughter Patricia, son-in-law José, and granddaughter Mariana were abducted in 1978 during the military dictatorship's purge of political dissidents.
Despite the disappearance of her family, Roisinblit never wavered in her commitment to human rights. She joined the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo soon after, serving in various leadership roles, and remained active until her passing.
Through the efforts of the organization, an estimated 140 babies have been reunited with their biological families, but many remain unaccounted for.
Roisinblit’s grandson, Guillermo, tracked down in 2000, became a human rights lawyer, continuing his grandmother’s legacy in fighting for justice.
In her final years, Roisinblit remained a beacon of resilience, stating, 'This wound never heals... But to say I'm stopping? No, I'll never stop.'
