A group of 23 Argentine human rights organizations published a joint statement condemning a January decree issued by President Javier Milei granting the intelligence agency SIDE the power to arrest people.

“For the first time in democracy, intelligence agents have the power to arrest you,” said the communiqué, signed by the Center of Legal and Social Studies (in Spanish, CELS), Amnesty International Argentina, and Greenpeace, among others. 

The statement went on to say that the order allows agents to “apprehend” people without explaining what the criteria would be for doing so. It also stipulates that arrests can take place without judicial authorization or establishment of legal guarantees.

“This paves the way for arbitrary arrests, persecution, and intimidation,” it added.

The decree mandates that 15 public offices that collect citizens’ personal data share this information with the SIDE.  According to the human rights groups, this will turn the decree into “a tool for massive surveillance.” They urged Congress to discuss and vote against the decree.

A group of NGOs has filed a presentation asking the United Nations to “express their concern about the restriction of fundamental rights.” They are also urging the UN to request information about the decree from the Argentine government.

According to CELS litigation and........

© Buenos Aires Herald