Human rights archives and research on historical memory: Argentina, Chile,and Uruguay

This research note discusses an emerging subfield of inquiry in the study o f democratization in Latin America: a focus on the relationships between pa st human rights abuses and democratization processes. It outlines four sets of questions emerging around the themes of "historical memory" and "legaci es of authoritarian rule." The study then examines documentary collections of major human rights nongovernmental organizations (HRNGOs) bl Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. The purpose of this endeavor is to provide researchers interested in studying the four issues with specific information oil docume nts produced and currently held by the HRNGOs in the Southern Cone. The ess ay examines seven HRNGOs in Chile, ten in Argentina, and four in Uruguay, a nd ends with practical hints for researchers who wish to use these resource s.