Opposition calls for the resignation of Alak after the roast in ESMA and the government defends him

Buenos Aires, January 3, 2013
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Justice Minister Julio Alak, is in the midst of controversy after a roast in the School of Naval Mechanics (ESMA) for 2000 people, disowned by some human rights organizations.

“We reject, with indignation and indescribable pain, roast and toast to dismiss the year that the Justice Minister Julio César Alak conducted on December 27, 2012 at 12 o’clock in the secret detention center Torture and Extermination ex- ESMA,” said the organization ‘Brothers of Missing people for Truth and Justice’ in a statement.

Several politicians joined the criticism, including Margarita Stolbizer, Victoria Donda and Miguel Bonasso. The latter said: “This government is sweeping even with some virtues that had granted a legitimacy, as the recovery of historical memory. But, of course, to do with guys like Alak, able to open a nightclub in Auschwitz”.

Carlos Gregorio Lordkipanidse, survivor of the ESMA, said for his part: “It is quite annoying and horrible what they did in the ESMA. They came to this point where disrespect is absolute. “

However, from the Ministry of Human Rights, defended the event and blamed the media for wanting to wear the image of Alak. “The press coverage that the mainstream media have given a public event appears to have a clear objective, to distort reality or produce a media operation that tries to close the debate and action around the redefinition of memory,” said the secretariat in a statement.

HIJOS group also defended the minister. “There was not a roast, was a presentation of the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Justice, the workers involved, and, as usual, these activities always have a catering and toast, and it was in this case.”