Human rights in Paraguay
Encyclopedia
Paraguay
does not meet most international standards for human rights
. The Judicial system and all public institutions have been shaped by several decades of fierce military dictatorship, of fascist, neo-nazi ideology. As a consequence institutional corruption and a pervasive culture of resignation to corruption is rife.
However, it affords its citizens the rights of freedom of the press
, speech, and religion. Those suspected of committing crimes must have charges brought against them within 180 days, or have the charges dropped doky. All suspects have the right to a lawyer. However, prison conditions in Paraguay are abysmal. Asunción
’s largest prison holds three times the number of prisoners for which it was designed. Moreover, it has only 120 guards for more than 2,500 prisoners. Prisoners are malnourished and often kept in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. The constitution guarantees the right of privacy and the protection of private property
.
The National Police have been accused of violating these rights often. Additionally, the police have been accused of using torture to solicit information from suspects (see a recent example of police brutality and impunity at YouTube.com).
Demonstrations of protest are permitted but are restricted to certain places and times in Asunción. Paraguayan workers have the right to unionize, protest, and strike. Nevertheless, the International Labour Organization
has criticized Paraguay’s workers’ rights for various deficiencies, including required registration of unions, the 300-worker minimum to form a union, and the lack of measures to prevent anti-union discrimination.
Union members in Paraguay have complained of their leaders being fired or suffering discrimination. Violations of women’s rights have occurred most frequently in situations of sexual and domestic abuse. Spousal abuse is common and underreported, but it is a crime in Paraguay only if deemed habitual.
Abuse and sexual abuse of children also are problems. The passage of the Child and Adolescent Law in 2001 required that departmental agencies be created to monitor and protect children’s rights, but so far the effect has been minimal. Trafficking in women and children from Paraguay remains a serious problem. In April 2004, Spanish police discovered 28 Paraguayan women trafficked to Spain
for prostitution
. Paraguay’s penal code outlaws trafficking of persons, but there have been no reported prosecutions of suspected traffickers.
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
does not meet most international standards for human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
. The Judicial system and all public institutions have been shaped by several decades of fierce military dictatorship, of fascist, neo-nazi ideology. As a consequence institutional corruption and a pervasive culture of resignation to corruption is rife.
However, it affords its citizens the rights of freedom of the press
Freedom of the press
Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles including various electronic media and published materials...
, speech, and religion. Those suspected of committing crimes must have charges brought against them within 180 days, or have the charges dropped doky. All suspects have the right to a lawyer. However, prison conditions in Paraguay are abysmal. Asunción
Asunción
Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San...
’s largest prison holds three times the number of prisoners for which it was designed. Moreover, it has only 120 guards for more than 2,500 prisoners. Prisoners are malnourished and often kept in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. The constitution guarantees the right of privacy and the protection of private property
Private property
Private property is the right of persons and firms to obtain, own, control, employ, dispose of, and bequeath land, capital, and other forms of property. Private property is distinguishable from public property, which refers to assets owned by a state, community or government rather than by...
.
The National Police have been accused of violating these rights often. Additionally, the police have been accused of using torture to solicit information from suspects (see a recent example of police brutality and impunity at YouTube.com).
Demonstrations of protest are permitted but are restricted to certain places and times in Asunción. Paraguayan workers have the right to unionize, protest, and strike. Nevertheless, the International Labour Organization
International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that deals with labour issues pertaining to international labour standards. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. Its secretariat — the people who are employed by it throughout the world — is known as the...
has criticized Paraguay’s workers’ rights for various deficiencies, including required registration of unions, the 300-worker minimum to form a union, and the lack of measures to prevent anti-union discrimination.
Union members in Paraguay have complained of their leaders being fired or suffering discrimination. Violations of women’s rights have occurred most frequently in situations of sexual and domestic abuse. Spousal abuse is common and underreported, but it is a crime in Paraguay only if deemed habitual.
Abuse and sexual abuse of children also are problems. The passage of the Child and Adolescent Law in 2001 required that departmental agencies be created to monitor and protect children’s rights, but so far the effect has been minimal. Trafficking in women and children from Paraguay remains a serious problem. In April 2004, Spanish police discovered 28 Paraguayan women trafficked to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
for prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
. Paraguay’s penal code outlaws trafficking of persons, but there have been no reported prosecutions of suspected traffickers.
External links
- Freedom of expression in Paraguay - IFEXInternational Freedom of Expression ExchangeThe International Freedom of Expression eXchange , founded in 1992, is a global network of around 90 non-governmental organisations that promotes and defends the right to freedom of expression....
- See the PARAGUAY page in the pro Justice and Democracy website Habeas-Corpus.net