A/HRC/48/9
Introduction
1.
The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with
Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-eighth session from 3 to 14 May 2021.
The review of Paraguay was held at the 6th meeting, on 5 May 2021. The delegation of
Paraguay was headed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Euclides Acevedo. At its 10th
meeting, held on 7 May 2021, the Working Group adopted the report on Paraguay.
2.
On 12 January 2021, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of
rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Paraguay: Germany, Namibia and Uruguay.
3.
In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution
5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were
issued for the review of Paraguay:
(a)
A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with
paragraph 15 (a); 1
(b)
A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b); 2
(c)
A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c). 3
4.
A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Canada, Germany, Panama,
Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national mechanisms for implementation,
reporting and follow-up, Slovenia, Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland and Uruguay was transmitted to Paraguay through the troika. These questions are
available on the website of the universal periodic review.
I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process
A.
Presentation by the State under review
5.
The head of the delegation stated that Paraguay was appearing in its third universal
periodic review to reaffirm its commitment to the observance of human rights. The
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic had exposed inequalities in the provision of
vaccines, which were a universal good. Paraguay wished to serve as a member of the Human
Rights Council. All human rights in Paraguay were vital, important and inalienable.
6.
The Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs referred to the main areas of the national report.
For Paraguay, the universal periodic review was an exercise of peer evaluation, reflection
and self-evaluation. He highlighted the role played by the recommendations monitoring
system (SIMORE Plus) developed by Paraguay, and noted that the country’s experience with
the system had been shared through technical cooperation.
7.
Progress made in the country between 2016 and 2020 had included a series of new
laws, the ratification of international human rights treaties and the strengthening of the
institutional framework. In 2016, a new Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman had been
appointed, although the challenge of complying with the principles relating to the status of
national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles)
had persisted, as a constitutional amendment was needed.
8.
Given the social and economic cost of corruption, Paraguay had adopted the National
Integrity, Transparency and Anticorruption Plan for 2021–2025. Within the framework of
the “100 points of Brasilia”, the judiciary had approved an access to justice policy for older
persons and persons with disabilities, and a protocol for intercultural justice.
1
2
3
2
A/HRC/WG.6/38/PRY/1.
A/HRC/WG.6/38/PRY/2.
A/HRC/WG.6/38/PRY/3.