# Raúl Alfonsín

> Argentine politician

**Wikidata**: [Q193062](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193062)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raúl_Alfonsín)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/raul-alfonsin

## Summary
Raúl Alfonsín was an Argentine politician who served as the country's 32nd president from 1983 to 1989. He is best known for his role in ending the Dirty War, a period of state-sponsored human rights abuses during Argentina's military dictatorship, and for his advocacy for democracy and human rights.

## Biography
- Born: March 12, 1927, in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Nationality: Argentine
- Education:
  - Law degree from the University of Buenos Aires (1949)
  - Doctorate in law from the National University of La Plata (1952)
- Known for: Leading Argentina's transition to democracy after the military dictatorship and establishing the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons
- Employer(s):
  - University of Buenos Aires (professor)
  - National University of La Plata (professor)
- Field(s): Political science, human rights, constitutional law

## Contributions
- **National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons**: Established in 1983 to investigate the fate of "desaparecidos" (disappeared persons) during the military dictatorship, leading to the identification of thousands of victims and the prosecution of perpetrators.
- **Constitutional Reforms**: Played a key role in drafting Argentina's 1983 Constitution, which restored democratic institutions and established protections for human rights.
- **Human Rights Advocacy**: Advocated for international recognition of Argentina's human rights violations and supported the establishment of truth commissions in other Latin American countries.

## FAQs
**What was Raúl Alfonsín's role in ending the Dirty War?**
Raúl Alfonsín established the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons in 1983, which investigated the fate of thousands of victims of state-sponsored disappearances during the military dictatorship.

**Where did Raúl Alfonsín work before becoming president?**
Raúl Alfonsín was a professor at the University of Buenos Aires and the National University of La Plata before entering politics.

**What was Alfonsín's political party?**
Raúl Alfonsín was affiliated with the Radical Civic Union (UCR), a center-left political party in Argentina.

**What international awards did Alfonsín receive?**
Raúl Alfonsín received the Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, the European Human Rights Prize, and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

**What was Alfonsín's relationship with the military dictatorship?**
Raúl Alfonsín initially supported the military junta but later opposed its human rights abuses, leading to his exile and eventual return to power in 1983.

## Why They Matter
Raúl Alfonsín's presidency marked a turning point in Argentina's history, as he led the country's transition from military rule to democracy. His establishment of the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons brought accountability for human rights violations, setting a precedent for truth commissions in Latin America. Alfonsín's efforts to restore democratic institutions and protect human rights influenced political developments in other countries facing authoritarian regimes. His legacy continues to shape Argentina's approach to human rights and democratic governance.

## Notable For
- **First democratically elected president after the military dictatorship** (1983)
- **Established the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons** (1983), a landmark investigation into human rights abuses
- **Received the Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation** (1985) for his human rights advocacy
- **Honorary doctorates** from the University of Brasília, the University of Madrid Complutense, and the University of Santiago de Compostela
- **Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic** (1986) for his contributions to international cooperation

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Raúl Alfonsín was born on March 12, 1927, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He studied law at the University of Buenos Aires, graduating in 1949, and later earned a doctorate in law from the National University of La Plata in 1952. His academic background in political science and constitutional law laid the foundation for his later political career.

### Academic Career
Before entering politics, Raúl Alfonsín served as a professor at the University of Buenos Aires and the National University of La Plata. His teaching and research focused on constitutional law, human rights, and political theory, shaping his approach to governance and democratic principles.

### Political Career
Raúl Alfonsín's political career began with his affiliation with the Radical Civic Union (UCR), a center-left political party. He initially supported the military junta that seized power in 1976 but later opposed its human rights abuses, leading to his exile in 1978. After the military dictatorship fell in 1983, Alfonsín returned to Argentina and was elected president, becoming the first democratically elected leader since the dictatorship.

### Presidency and Human Rights Advocacy
During his presidency, Raúl Alfonsín established the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons, which investigated the fate of thousands of victims of state-sponsored disappearances. The commission's findings led to the prosecution of perpetrators and brought accountability for human rights abuses. Alfonsín also played a key role in drafting Argentina's 1983 Constitution, which restored democratic institutions and established protections for human rights.

### International Recognition and Awards
Raúl Alfonsín received numerous international awards and honors for his human rights advocacy, including the Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation (1985), the European Human Rights Prize (1986), and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (1986). His efforts to bring international attention to Argentina's human rights violations influenced political developments in other countries.

### Legacy and Influence
Raúl Alfonsín's legacy continues to shape Argentina's approach to human rights and democratic governance. His establishment of the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons set a precedent for truth commissions in Latin America, and his presidency marked a turning point in the country's transition from military rule to democracy. Alfonsín's influence extends beyond Argentina, as his advocacy for human rights and democratic principles has inspired political movements in other regions.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Munzinger Personen
3. [Source](https://apym.hcdn.gob.ar/biografias/4556)
4. [Source](http://www.senado.gov.ar/senadores/Historico/Introduccion)
5. Integrated Authority File
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. CiNii Research
9. [Source](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/14634/Raul-Alfonsin)
10. Find a Grave
11. Discogs
12. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
13. Proleksis Encyclopedia
14. Croatian Encyclopedia
15. [Source](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7975570.stm)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. [Source](https://www.munzinger.de/search/go/document.jsp?id=00000017082)
18. BBC Things
19. The Movie Database
20. [Source](https://www.ole.com.ar/fuera-de-juego/presidentes-democracia-argentina_0_t1RAB7cr8s.html)
21. authority file of the National Library of Uruguay