Josefina González: Human Rights Activist and Argentine National Deputy
Josefina Victoria "Tana" Tosetto González is a prominent Argentine politician and human rights activist whose life and career have been deeply shaped by the struggle for justice in the wake of Argentina's military dictatorship. Serving as a National Deputy for the Santa Fe Province, she has bridged the gap between grassroots activism and legislative governance.
Born into a family targeted by political persecution, González has dedicated her adult life to ensuring that the atrocities of the past are neither forgotten nor ignored, utilizing her political platform to advocate for human rights and social guarantees.
Key Facts
- Role: National Deputy for Santa Fe (2013–2021).
- Political Affiliation: Justicialist Party and La Cámpora.
- Activism: Member of HIJOS, an organization for children of victims of the military dictatorship.
- Family History: Daughter of two desaparecidos (disappeared persons) from the 1976–1983 dictatorship.
- Legal Impact: Key witness in the trial of General Ramón Genaro Díaz Bessone.
Early Life and Family Tragedy
Josefina was born on February 17, 1976, in Rosario, Argentina. Her early childhood was marked by the violence of the civic-military dictatorship that seized power shortly after her birth. Her parents, Dardo José Tosetto and Rut González, were active members of the ERP-PRT.
The family's persecution began in December 1975 when Dardo José Tosetto was kidnapped by military authorities; he remains missing to this day. On July 19, 1976, Josefina, her elder sister Mariana, and their mother Rut were kidnapped and taken to a clandestine detention center. While the children were eventually retrieved by an aunt after a brief period of being handed to police officers, Josefina suffered beatings during her captivity at the hands of Major Agustín Feced. Her mother, Rut González, was executed in captivity, with her death officially recorded on October 5, 1976.
The tragedy extended to her extended family. On September 23, 1976, her grandmother Amorosa Brunet de González, aunt Estrella González, and uncle Héctor Vitantonio were all kidnapped. Estrella and Héctor were executed, while Amorosa remains missing.
Human Rights Activism
As a teenager in 1995, González joined HIJOS (Sons and Daughters for Identity and Justice Against Forgetfulness and Silence), an organization dedicated to seeking justice for the victims of the dictatorship. Her commitment to human rights eventually led her to La Cámpora, a youth political organization supporting the governments of Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, where she served as the human rights secretary for Santa Fe.
González played a pivotal role in the judicial process against General Ramón Genaro Díaz Bessone. Serving as both a plaintiff and a key witness, her testimony contributed to the March 26, 2012, verdict that handed life sentences to Díaz Bessone and former police commissar Rubén Lofiego for human rights violations.
Political Career and Legislative Work
González entered national politics in 2013, running as the second candidate for the Front for Victory in Santa Fe. She was elected to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies and subsequently re-elected in 2017 under the Justicialist Front list.
During her tenure from 2017 to 2021, she held significant responsibilities, including presiding over the parliamentary commission on Political Trials. She also contributed to commissions focusing on:
- Human Rights and Guarantees
- Freedom of Expression
- Disabilities and Elderly People
- Addiction Prevention
A staunch advocate for reproductive rights, González voted in favor of the Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy bills debated in 2018 and 2020, supporting the legalization of abortion in Argentina. Her term ended on December 9, 2021, after she chose not to run for re-election.
Personal Life and Recovery
Josefina González is married to Federico Guillermo Reynares Solari. In June 2017, she survived a severe car accident on Ruta Nacional 33 near Chovet. The crash resulted in the death of her photographer, Ignacio Amaya, and left González in a coma for 10 days before she began a long recovery process.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | February 17, 1976 (Rosario, Argentina) |
| Political Party | Justicialist Party / La Cámpora |
| Office Held | National Deputy for Santa Fe (2013–2021) |
| Key Affiliations | Front for Victory, Unidad Ciudadana, Frente de Todos |
| Major Cause | Human Rights and Justice for the Disappeared |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Josefina González?
Josefina González is an Argentine politician and human rights activist who served as a National Deputy for Santa Fe Province from 2013 to 2021 and is a member of the Justicialist Party.
What is the significance of her family history?
She is the daughter of two "desaparecidos" (disappeared persons) who were victims of the Argentine military dictatorship (1976–1983), an experience that drove her lifelong commitment to human rights activism.
What role did she play in the trial of General Díaz Bessone?
González served as a key witness and plaintiff in the trial, which concluded in 2012 and resulted in life sentences for General Ramón Genaro Díaz Bessone and Rubén Lofiego for human rights violations.
Which legislative issues did she champion?
Beyond human rights, she presided over the commission on Political Trials and was a vocal supporter of the legalization of abortion, voting in favor of the Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy bills in 2018 and 2020.
What happened to her in 2017?
In June 2017, she was involved in a major car accident on Ruta Nacional 33 that killed her photographer and left her in a coma for 10 days.