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In Argentina, perpetrators of abuse during Argentina's dictatorship (1976-1983) often live anonymously among their neighbors, enjoying the immunity granted by the current Argentinean government.  HIJOS, a local human rights organization, is trying to unmask this anonymity. To accomplish their goal, they organize a neighborhood-wide information campaign about the crimes of the abuser in their midst. Then they pick a day to demonstrate, using speeches, skits and music as they march toward the home of the abuser. After many demonstrations, the abuser has been socially ostracized. In some cases, the abusers have been forced to move from their neighborhoods. Hijos por la Identidad y la Justicia contra el Olvido y el Silencio (H.I.J.O.S) organizes targeted demonstrations in front of the homes people who have been identified as the perpetrators of human rights abuses. These demonstrations, called Escraches (“unmasking”), publicly expose the abusers and allow communities to express their moral condemnation.

H.I.J.O.S. starts by identifying an individual who carried out repression under the military government in Argentina (1976-1983). They then carry out interviews with the victims, their families or other witnesses in order to verify information. The next step is to find out where the targets live and their telephone numbers, using registered voter lists posted on the Internet. Then the “Pre-escrache” begins: they talk to local unions, libraries and other social organizations that work in the neighborhood where the perpetrator lives. They hand out pamphlets and organize informal lectures in the neighborhood and in the schools in order to explain why they are using this tactic and exactly what the individual who is going to be targeted is guilty of. In most cases, the community doesn’t know about the crimes of their neighbors. The purpose of the “Pre-escrache” is to involve the community, whose participation is essential to the success of the tactic.

After this they set a day to start the Escrache. Protestors gather at a square or other public place near the target’s home, giving speeches condemning the individual and describing his or her crimes. They post pamphlets on walls with the photo, name, address, telephone number and biography of the repressor. They may also sing songs with music provided by murgas (drum bands) or dramatize the perpetrator’s acts in skits. Sometimes they paint military boots on the way to the target’s home or paint signs, similar to traffic signs, with messages like “Danger, a repressor lives here.” When they arrive at the target’s home they sometimes throw small water balloons filled with red paint, symbolizing blood. (This, however, can be counter-productive, as community members are often uncomfortable with it.)

The demonstrations sometimes lead to confrontation with the police, or with contra-escraches – counter demonstrations organized by supporters of the target or skinhead groups. H.I.J.O.S. has legal representation to assist with solving any problems that might arise. However, the key to accomplishing their objective without conflict is to involve as many people as possible in the demonstrations.

A variant of the Escrache is the Escrache-movil, a mobile demonstration that targets more than one perpetrator, generally in a single neighborhood. Demonstrators travel between houses by bicycle, car or truck. Upon arrival they hold concerts and plays that recreate an individual scenario for each target.

After the Escrache has finished the effectiveness of the tactic remains in the hands of the target’s neighbors. Sometimes the response is staggering. There are examples of shops closing or bars becoming empty when an abuser enters. Some targets have even had to move from their own homes because of the social rejection.

H.I.J.O.S. was founded as an Argentine human rights organization in April of 1995. A true social movement, it has united the sons and daughters of those who disappeared and/or were victims of politically motivated torture during the military dictatorship in Argentina between 1976 and 1983. This organization was founded on the need to fight against the immunity granted by the current Argentinean government to those responsible for the genocide during the seventies. H.I.J.O.S. seeks not just social condemnation but also legal condemnation for those responsible.