B’nai B’rith is commemorating the 30th anniversary of the AMIA bombing—the deadliest terrorist attack in Latin America’s history—through remembrance activities and memorial events beginning today in Buenos Aires.

B’nai B’rith Special Advisor on Latin American and U.N. Affairs Adriana Camisar attended a series of commemorative events with global government officials, including Argentine President Javier Milei, leaders from across Latin America and members of Congress. The commemoration underscored the ongoing lack of justice for victims of the attack and the Jewish community of Argentina.

On July 18, 1994, a car bomb exploded at the Argentine-Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) Jewish center in Buenos Aires, killing 85 and injuring hundreds. In 2015, Alberto Nisman, the federal prosecutor for the case, was found dead in his home just one day before he was scheduled to present monumental allegations before the Argentine Congress. Evidence implicates Iran and Hezbollah in planning and executing this crime, yet only secondary actors have been brought to justice.

Speakers at the event included Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli; Vice President of Argentina Victoria Villarruel; Jacob Hagoel, president of the World Zionist Organization; and Israeli Ambassador Eyal Sela.

The commemoration comes a week after the Argentine government introduced the “Trial in Absentia” bill to Congress.

“This is a very important anniversary because it marks 30 years of impunity,” said Camisar, who has worked on this legislative measure for several years. “The survivors, the relatives of the victims and all the people of Argentina deserve to finally see that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

The Trial in Absentia bill introduced 30 years after the AMIA bombing requires those accused to face trial even if they refuse to appear before Argentine courts, as many are protected by Iran. It allows defendants to later request a comprehensive review of the judgment, ensuring due process.

“The recent bill introduced by the government to enable trials in absentia in Argentina is the only answer to get some measure of justice, given that the accused are protected by the Iranian regime and continue to refuse to appear before the Argentine courts,” Camisar said.

In the latest episode of our Lens on Latin America podcast series, AMIA Executive Director Daniel Pomerantz, himself a survivor of the attack, joined Camisar and B’nai B’rith Director of Latin American Affairs Eduardo Kohn to discuss the impact of the bombing on Argentina’s Jewish community. Listen to the discussion here.

For more than two decades, B’nai B’rith has pressed for those responsible for this attack to be brought to justice.