Overview of Human Rights in Paraguay

Paraguay is a constitutional republic. International monitors perceived recent elections to be generally free and fair. The government of Paraguay works to respect the civil and human rights of its citizens; however, problems persist.

The military has been convicted of conscripting minors for service. It is also known that torture and other forms of abuse are reaped upon new conscripts. Over 100 deaths among conscripts from unexplained circumstances have taken place since 1989.

Crime in the nation has increased in recent years. Reports of kidnappings and killings are on the rise. Discrimination and
violence against persons with disabilities and indigenous people are also growing concerns. Members of the security and police forces are under investigation for extrajudicial killings; however, use of excessive force, arbitrary arrest, detention, abuse of suspects, detainees, and prisoners goes unpunished.

Prisons are overcrowded and widespread violence in the general prison populations occur. In 2000, 12 inmates died when a fire at the Panchito López juvenile detention center broke out.

In August 2004, the Truth and Justice Commission was established to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses committed between 1954 and 2004. However, due to lack of funding and resources, it is unclear whether or not this commission will function long-term.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

91st out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.