Milei's top human rights official quits post

Human Rights Secretary Alberto Baños has resigned his post, becoming the latest official to quit President Javier Milei’s government.

He departs the role after almost two years in office. A former criminal court judge, Baños had taken over the Human Rights Secretariat at the beginning of Milei's administration in December 2023. 

In May of this year, the head of state decided to downgrade the agency to an undersecretariat.

Baños reported politically to Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona, who announced his departure from the government back in September, only to later reverse his decision and remain in office a while longer.

Rumours persist that Cúneo Libarona will leave government in February next year. Other sources suggested that Baños’ resignation is linked to the pending departure.

Quizzed about the official’s decision, a senior official at the Casa Rosada stated Thursday that Baños "did not obey a political order," although no further details were provided.

Baños was at the centre of controversy last November when he spoke of a "business" of human rights during a presentation to the UN Committee Against Torture.

Before the panel, Baños also questioned the estimate put forward by rights group that some 30,000 people were disappeared by Argentina’s military dictatorship during the late 1970s and early 1980s. 

Even though many La Libertad Avanza party officials and government officials – the President included – insist on this argument, never before had such a claim been stated by a public official before an international organisation.

Baños’ decision to quit is unrelated to his appearance at the UN torture committee, said government sources, which said the Milei government agrees with his stance.

The size of the workforce at the department has more than halved since Baños took office. At least 14 senior positions within the human rights body were also eliminated.

–  TIMES/NA