Susana Trimarco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susana Trimarco
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Susana Trimarco (left)
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| Born |
Sara Susana del Valle Trimarco de Veron
1954 (age 69–70) |
| Nationality | Argentinian |
| Occupation | Activist |
| Spouse(s) | Daniel Verón (1975–2010) |
| Children | María de los Ángeles |
| Awards | Women of Courage in 2007 Premio Cristo Rey in 2008 Premio Sarmiento in 2011 |
Sara Susana del Valle Trimarco de Veron, or Susana Trimarco (born 1954), is an Argentinian human rights activist, whose efforts have been recognized internationally. Her lobbying is credited as bringing corruption and government impunity to the fore in Argentina.
Contents
Life
Susana Trimarco's daughter Marita (born María de los Ángeles) was kidnapped in San Miguel de Tucumán, the capital of Tucumán Province, on April 3, 2002. Marita was the mother of a two-year-old girl and had gone to a doctor appointment when, according to a witness, she was pulled into a red car.
Trying to find her, Trimarco began her own investigation. She received threats and was given false clues in order to mislead her search. Her investigations led to the release of other women supposedly deprived of their liberty, but her daughter is still missing.
In 2007, Trimarco founded the Fundación María de los Ángeles ("María of the Angels Foundation") in order to rescue kidnapped girls in Argentina. It claims to have achieved the release of hundreds.
In February and March 2012, Trimarco testified at the trial of 13 people, including police officers, who were accused of kidnapping Marita Veron and selling her to human traffickers. All the defendants were acquitted on December 12, 2012.
In December 2012, seven men and six women were charged with Marita's kidnapping, but acquitted in a Tucuman criminal court. A week later, Trimarco met with Argentina's president, and impeachment proceedings were started against the 3 judges who had delivered the verdict. In December 2013, ten of the original 13 defendants were convicted of the kidnapping of Marita Verón.
Legacy and awards
Legislation
Trimarco's campaign has brought the issues of corruption of high officials. As a result of her efforts, Argentina passed a law that makes the abduction of persons a federal offense in 2007. The law also established a Rescue Office to provide legal assistance to victims.
In 2008, Trimarco's efforts led to 3,000 people being rescued from human traffickers in Argentina.
In 2008 an anti-trafficking law was passed, and a Rescue Office was established in the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights to oversee the prevention and investigation of such crimes and provide legal assistance to victims.
Awards
On March 8, 2007, the U.S. Department of State honored Susana Trimarco with the International Women of Courage Award, conferred by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The Argentinian national senate also honored Susana Trimarco with the Premio Domingo Faustino Sarmiento for her work in promotion of human rights.
On March 14, 2012, the Canadian government honored Ms. Trimarco with the John Diefenbaker Defender of Human Rights and Freedom Award.
Trimarco was nominated for the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.
Media
The Telefé series Vidas Robadas ("Stolen Lives") was inspired by this case.
Susana Trimarco was also the subject of a 2009 documentary, Fragmentos de una Búsqueda (Fragments of a Search), directed by Pablo Milstein and Norberto Ludín.
A season 16 episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, "Undercover Mother," was inspired by Susana's story.
See also
In Spanish: Susana Trimarco para niños
- Human rights in Argentina
