United Nations
Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 38th Session
Universal Periodic Review of Paraguay
Statement by Australia
5 May 2021
Australia welcomes Paraguay's efforts to improve its human rights framework since its last review, including improved legal protections introduced in 2017 in the Law for the Integral Protection of Women Against All Forms of Violence. However, we remain concerned about a range of human rights issues, including the lack of enforcement of the clause in Paraguay's constitution against discrimination.
Australia recommends that Paraguay:
- Strengthen the protection of sexual and reproductive rights, including by ensuring access to sexual health services.
- Strengthen appropriate avenues for reporting and effective mechanisms for investigating gender-based violence and attacks on LGBTI persons.
- Continue efforts to end abusive practices by security forces and to improve prison and detention centre conditions, including in the context of Paraguay's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.