Letter of support from grandmothers in Argentina
Dear Ding Zilin,
When a child is born it is an empty vessel waiting to be filled with knowledge from its family members. It is loved, nurtured and cared for by parents and grandparents thus forming a close emotional bond. The love that a child gives is unconditional and precious. How painful it is when this love is extinguished through the actions of others.
The Mothers of the Plaza Del Mayo applaud your work and support your right as human beings to grieve publicly for your dead children. The deep loss that a woman feels when her child is taken from her is something that never heals. We should be able to celebrate their lives and mourn their deaths without fear of reprimand from authorities.
Our aim is simple - to locate our grandchildren who disappeared as a result of our pregnant daughters abductions and murders during the Dirty War period from 1976 to 1983. We continue to reunite these children with their legitimate parents, striving in some small way to bring happiness to the families who have lost loved ones. Our work is exhausting and sometimes fraught with danger. We will not give up until we are assured that the childrens human rights are not violated and that the Argentinian government punishes those responsible for this blatant display of cruelty.
The Mothers of Tiananmen Square should be celebrated for their strength in the face of adversity. Their peaceful campaign to highlight the deaths is slowly raising awareness of the Chinese governments total lack of contrition.
We share your sorrow and anger at the way in which your government refuses to acknowledge your tragic and personal loss. We fully support your mission and send our deepest respect for your cause. Without our work, the memory of our children and grandchildren would have been lost to the annals of time. We must remain strong for the sake of future generations.
Yours sincerely,
Estela Barnes de Carlotto
President, Grandmothers of the Plaza Del Mayo, Argentina
