Argentina’s 'trial of the juntas'

Jul 7, 2025

Luis Moreno Ocampo, a renowned lawyer and the first prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, shares his insights on Argentina's groundbreaking 1985 trial against the military juntas. He discusses the harrowing testimonies from victims of the Dirty War, where thousands disappeared under a brutal regime. Ocampo highlights the challenges faced by the legal team in pursuing justice amidst societal denial, and the trial's lasting impact on human rights accountability globally. The conversation explores the ongoing struggle for truth and reconciliation in Argentina.

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INSIGHT

Argentina's Historic Trial That Broke the Silence on Dirty War Crimes

In 1985, Argentina held the 'trial of the juntas,' the first major prosecution of war crimes since the Nuremberg trials. Former military leaders were charged with kidnapping, torture, and murder of thousands during the Dirty War from 1976-1983. Luis Moreno Ocampo, an assistant prosecutor, describes how the trial revealed that many victims were not terrorists but ordinary citizens opposing the regime, such as trade unionists and protesters.

The legal team faced immense challenges, including threats, lack of police help since crimes were state-sponsored, and public disbelief shaped by propaganda. Yet powerful eyewitness testimonies, like Pablo's story of abduction for a bus fare protest, exposed the brutal reality, moving even judges to tears.

Despite political and social resistance, five top military leaders were convicted, with life sentences for key figures General Jorge Videla and Admiral Emilio Massera, marking a monumental step towards justice and truth for Argentina and the world.

INSIGHT

Targeting Commanders for Justice

The trial targeted top military commanders as they were most responsible for the crimes, given armies obey orders.
Majority of victims were not terrorists but trade unionists or opponents of the regime in Argentina's Dirty War.

INSIGHT

Innovation Born from Inexperience

The prosecution team innovated because traditional methods failed due to state involvement in the crimes.
Luis’ inexperience became an advantage by forcing creative legal strategies in uncharted territory.

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In 1985, Argentina’s former military leaders were put on trial accused of kidnapping, torturing and murdering thousands of their own people.

The ‘trial of the juntas’ was the first major prosecution of war crimes since the Nuremberg trials following World War Two. Between 1976 and 1983, around 30 thousand people disappeared or were murdered in Argentina during the so-called Dirty War.

Military leaders claimed the victims were left wing guerrillas plotting terrorist attacks against their dictatorships, but most weren’t terrorists. They were trade unionists or protesters opposing the regime.

Luis Moreno Ocampo was an assistant prosecutor during the trial and spoke to Jane Wilkinson about the case.

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(Photo: Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo speaking at the trial, 1985 Credit: AFP/AFP via Getty Images)