With this virtual exhibition we aim to highlight, in general terms, the importance of archives for the promotion and protection of human rights, for the reconstruction of historical memory and for documenting transitional justice and, in particular, the contribution of the Iberarchivos programme to the rescue and preservation of documentary evidence related to human rights violations, which has made it possible to safeguard this memory of the past of certain authoritarian regimes in the Ibero-American context1.Both the fight against impunity and the right of victims to obtain reparations are enshrined in international law through texts approved by the United Nations in 20052, in which a decisive role is given to archives through the obligation of states to guarantee the preservation of documents that bear witness to human rights violations and to offer the possibility of consulting them to the public.Some basic principles recognised in these international texts, such as the inalienable right to the truth, the duty to remember and the right of victims to know, cannot be guaranteed without the proper preservation of archives. Without the preservation of these documents, the manipulation of the truth is facilitated, which implies the difficulty of identifying those responsible for human rights violations and, therefore, the avoidance of the consequent criminal responsibilities, as well as the reparation of the victims.Archivists therefore have a crucial role to play in the preservation of this memory, which in most cases is fragile due to the interests in its elimination, concealment or falsification with the aim of ensuring impunity for the perpetrators of human rights violations. Therefore, the exercise of our profession makes it possible to know the truth of the facts, which implies a great responsibility, as stated in the texts issued by the International Council on Archives, such as the “Basic Principles on the Role of Archivists and Records Managers in the Defence of Human Rights”.Since the beginning of the Iberarchivos programme, ensuring the protection of human rights archives and facilitating access to them has been one of the programme’s priorities, and 57 projects from 38 institutions and 11 countries have been supported, with programme funding of 338,385.95 euros.This virtual exhibition of human rights projects demonstrates the commitment of the Iberarchivos programme to the protection of these archives, the ultimate aim of which is to ensure that this documentary heritage is adequately protected against destruction or intentional concealment and that its accessibility is facilitated not only for the victims, but also for society as a whole.
- Note 1
1. This activity is part of the Strategic Plan 2019-2021, specifically in the line of action “Organise dissemination activities that highlight the importance of archives”.
- Note 2
2. “Updated set of principles for the protection and promotion of human rights through action to combat impunity” (Adopted by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, UN Doc. UN Doc. E/CN.4/RES/2005/81) and “Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law” (Adopted by the UN General Assembly, GA Res. 60/147 of 16 December 2005).
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