Authoritarianism, human rights and redemocratization: a comparative analysis of the justice transition in Brazil and Argentina

Abstract

The article addresses the process of transitional justice developed in the Southern Cone of Latin America after the term of recent authoritarian regimes. The main aim is to analyze the different strategies adopted by the post-authoritarian civilian governments in the fields of truth, memory and justice for the confrontation the legacy of human rights violations of the military dictatorships in Brazil (1964-85) and in Argentina (1976-83). Our hypothesis is that political context of redemocratization was decisive in shaping the dynamics of transitional justice in those countries. The text aims, even, theoretically discuss the foundations of the idea of transitional justice and the possible policy implications of truth and justice for democratic deepening.