Miriam Lewin

To this day, Miriam Lewin doesn't know what happened to the young man she unofficially married before her capture, but she believes he was most likely arrested and killed. As for her friend Patricia, Miriam's abductors claim she blew herself up with dynamite during a confrontation with the military.

Incredibly, Miriam says, she's buried in the military sector of a cemetery in Buenos Aires, a decision that couldn't possibly have been her own. Miriam's second detention center was a place called ESMA. It's now a World Heritage Site. But at the time, its public-facing purpose was as a mechanic school for the Navy.

Incredibly, Miriam says, she's buried in the military sector of a cemetery in Buenos Aires, a decision that couldn't possibly have been her own. Miriam's second detention center was a place called ESMA. It's now a World Heritage Site. But at the time, its public-facing purpose was as a mechanic school for the Navy.

Incredibly, Miriam says, she's buried in the military sector of a cemetery in Buenos Aires, a decision that couldn't possibly have been her own. Miriam's second detention center was a place called ESMA. It's now a World Heritage Site. But at the time, its public-facing purpose was as a mechanic school for the Navy.

Few knew that around 5,000 Argentine citizens were being brought through its doors and detained against their will.

Few knew that around 5,000 Argentine citizens were being brought through its doors and detained against their will.

Few knew that around 5,000 Argentine citizens were being brought through its doors and detained against their will.

An estimated 30,000 people were disappeared and brought to centers like Esma. We now know many of them were taken from their cells, drugged, hooded, bound, and thrown out of planes alive. a method of execution that has since been referred to as death flights.

An estimated 30,000 people were disappeared and brought to centers like Esma. We now know many of them were taken from their cells, drugged, hooded, bound, and thrown out of planes alive. a method of execution that has since been referred to as death flights.

An estimated 30,000 people were disappeared and brought to centers like Esma. We now know many of them were taken from their cells, drugged, hooded, bound, and thrown out of planes alive. a method of execution that has since been referred to as death flights.

According to witnesses, military officers would sometimes tell the prisoners they were being released and play music for them to dance in celebration as the sedatives took effect. Miriam is reportedly one of about 150 desaparecidos to survive detention. She can't say with any certainty how she got so lucky.

According to witnesses, military officers would sometimes tell the prisoners they were being released and play music for them to dance in celebration as the sedatives took effect. Miriam is reportedly one of about 150 desaparecidos to survive detention. She can't say with any certainty how she got so lucky.

According to witnesses, military officers would sometimes tell the prisoners they were being released and play music for them to dance in celebration as the sedatives took effect. Miriam is reportedly one of about 150 desaparecidos to survive detention. She can't say with any certainty how she got so lucky.

But at a certain point, she says, members of the government saw value in prisoners like her.

But at a certain point, she says, members of the government saw value in prisoners like her.

But at a certain point, she says, members of the government saw value in prisoners like her.

Those with useful skills were given specific tasks. As a former journalism student who could speak multiple languages, Miriam was made to translate news stories from abroad. The Argentine government was worried about reports being published overseas about human rights violations happening in their country. They also made Miriam Wright articles they could send to media outlets as propaganda.

Those with useful skills were given specific tasks. As a former journalism student who could speak multiple languages, Miriam was made to translate news stories from abroad. The Argentine government was worried about reports being published overseas about human rights violations happening in their country. They also made Miriam Wright articles they could send to media outlets as propaganda.

Those with useful skills were given specific tasks. As a former journalism student who could speak multiple languages, Miriam was made to translate news stories from abroad. The Argentine government was worried about reports being published overseas about human rights violations happening in their country. They also made Miriam Wright articles they could send to media outlets as propaganda.

For example, when the World Cup came to Buenos Aires in 1978... They made Miriam write a piece about it. The event served as a source of national pride and an easy distraction from the allegations of abuses. The same abuses Miriam was a victim of. She could hear the roars of the crowd celebrating when Argentina won the final game.