repression , but the school itself also began a rapid decline in reputation and institutional standing . In those early years , which included the creation of the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons ( CONADEP ) and its subsequent inspection of the ESMA , and following the new political and judicial cycle in relation to Argentina ’ s recent past in the 2000s , the military institutions were gradually removed from the site . However , this phase was not without controversy and setbacks . For example , the site narrowly avoided an attempt at demolition in 1998 . Following the inauguration of President Néstor Kirchner , on 24 March 2004 , an agreement was signed between the National Executive Power and the Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires to create the Space for Memory and for the Promotion and Defence of Human Rights . This was formalised in November 2007 with the creation of a Public Body as an inter-jurisdictional public law entity . The Commission established to discuss different proposals for the Space for Memory , with the participation of human rights organisations and survivors , unanimously decided that the Officers ’ Casino building should be preserved as the historic site . Beyond this , the entire site was designated as a Space for Memory . As such , the ESMA Museum and Site of Memory was inaugurated a few years later , on 19 May 2015 , by President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner . The content and the museographic project , along with the work carried out , were authorised by the judicial bodies responsible for the site and agreed upon by the various interested parties , including survivors , human rights organisations , cultural heritage specialists , and site of memory experts , among others .
2 . Unveiling of the UNESCO World Heritage Plaque , 2023 . From left to right : Abel Madariaga , Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo , Victoria Donda , Undersecretary for Analysis and Monitoring of Strategic Policies of the Province of Buenos Aires , Mayki Gorosito , Director of the ESMA Museum and Memory Site , Buscarita Roa , Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo , Tristan Bauer , Minister of Culture , Estela Carlotto , President of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo , Horacio Pietragalla Corti , Secretary of Human Rights , Martin Soria , Minister of Justice , Tati Almeida , Mothers of Plaza de Mayo Founding Line , Graciela Lois , Relatives of the Disappeared and Liliana Pellegrino , ESMA survivor | ESMA
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Observing Memories Issue 8