Novak railed against human rights abuses and criticized the dictatorship and the guerillas for their violence and carnage during the period of civil unrest and conflict. He pleaded for proper negotiations and peace in 1982 during the Falklands War. It was after the disappearances of 30,000 people became public that he served as a sort of 'spokesman' for their next of kin asking for investigations and closure for the families of those lost.