Back

Weekly Report - 07 October 2021 (WR-21-40)

Click here for printer friendly version
Click here for full report

Controversy rages over land seizures in Paraguay

Nearly 20 Paraguayan indigenous organisations have convened a protest demonstration in the capital Asunción for 12 October, to demand recognition of their land and cultural rights. Together with other groups representing rural workers, they have been campaigning against new legislation, signed by President Mario Abdo Benítez on 30 September, which raises the penalties for land seizures to 10 years.

Disputes over land ownership have been a longstanding contentious issue at the heart of Paraguayan politics: in 2012 a violent land dispute in Curuguaty, in the eastern department of Canindeyú, left a toll of 17 dead and eventually led to the impeachment of President Fernando Lugo (2008-2012).

The government says tougher penalties are needed to protect private property and discourage up to 1,000 land conflicts currently in progress in different parts of the country. Indigenous groups and rural activists argue that the law is unfair, as much of their land (up to 8m hectares) was taken from them illegally during the dictatorship of General Alfredo Stroessner (1954-1989) and given to supporters of the regime.

The bill was approved by the lower chamber of congress on 29 September by 49 votes to three with one abstention, with the backing of the ruling Asociación Nacional Republicana-Partido Colorado (ANR-PC), having already been passed by the senate. A total of 27 deputies were absent for the final vote in the lower chamber, from the left-wing Frente Guasú (FG) and other opposition parties, who had opposed the bill.

When the new law was promulgated by Abdo Benítez on 30 September there were violent clashes between police and rural activists, with several cars burnt in central Asunción. Police used water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.

The head of the Instituto Nacional del Indígena (Indi), Edgar Olmedo, made a call for “peace and harmony”, saying that Abdo Benítez had requested that he open a dialogue with indigenous leaders, but it is unclear whether this will defuse tensions. If the government refuses to reconsider the new law, there is a possibility that the protests could spread. Organisers had earlier threatened to take further action if Abdo Benítez signed the bill.

LatinNews
Intelligence Research Ltd.
167-169 Great Portland Street,
5th floor,
London, W1W 5PF - UK
Phone : +44 (0) 203 695 2790
Contact
You may contact us via our online contact form
Copyright © 2022 Intelligence Research Ltd. All rights reserved.