On 10 November, the Government of the Argentine Republic bestowed on former United States President James Earl "Jimmy" Carter the Grand Cross of the Order of the Liberator San Martín for his defence of human rights during the last military dictatorship.
The Order is the highest honour that Argentina can confer on foreign government officials. The ceremony was held at the Carter Center in Atlanta.
The Secretary for Human Rights, Claudio Avruj, bestowed the award on former President Carter on behalf of the Argentine Government.
Secretary Avruj underscored that during his term in office the then President Carter undertook several actions in defence of the full force of human rights in Argentina, demanding information from the military dictatorship on the thousands of disappeared people and providing the political and institutional framework and support that enabled the laudable work undertaken by the Chief of the Human Rights Bureau of the State Department, Patricia Derian, and the U.S. envoy at the Embassy in Buenos Aires, Allen "Tex" Harris, among others.
For his part, former President Carter expressed his gratitude to President Macri's administration as he underscored the importance of human rights in the world and highlighted the actions of his administration and officials during that dark period in Argentine history.
In his speech, Carter expressed his satisfaction with the progress in human rights in Argentina and added that he has visited the country eight times and has always enjoyed the hospitality of the Argentine people.
"I am deeply honoured by the award and inspired by Argentina's future," the former President stated.
He also underscored the excellent diplomatic relations between the two governments and the United States' commitment to the declassification of documents related to the military dictatorship.
Press release No. 516/17
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