Noticias

The 44th. General Assembly of the Organization of American States was held in Paraguay, from 3 to 5 June, the main theme was "Development with Social Inclusion". The OAS promotes several documents aimed at protecting people from all forms of discrimination, for several reasons. In Paraguay, the Constitution reflects the same intention in Article 46 to prohibit any form of discrimination and force the state to remove any reason that generates it.

The radical stance of the current government, reflected in the statements of Chancellor Federico Gonzalez, declaring that "This resolution talks about discrimination issues in general, and our country has taken a decision, the Paraguay has not signed the American Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination" to the ABC Color newspaper, and "Paraguay will not accompany the draft resolution proposed by Brazil to be approved by the 44th General Assembly of the OAS," to the Ultima Hora newspaper, is a affront to the Constitution, international treaties and demonstrates no intention of the current government to improve the lives of Paraguayans.

In response, representatives and activists SOMOSGAY and LESVOS called for a peaceful demonstration outside the Conmebol, on Monday, June 2 to urge the Paraguayan State's commitment to accompany the Draft Resolution on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity Expression submitted by Brazil.

However, the brutal attack on the activists of SOMOSGAY, LESVOS and citizens that advocate for gay rights, occurred on Monday, June 2 near the site where the 44th General Assembly of the OAS in Asuncion is being held, shows the INTOLERANT posture, promoting hate and contrary to all the rights and dignity of Paraguayans that the  Government sustains.

Audiovisual materials that were recorded showed that the participants of the demonstration did not initiate any violent action, but rather and contrary to the statement by the Senior Superintendent Ramon Avila, were the police forces which proceeded to the terrible onslaught against people present where about ten of them were injured hand uniform, as they attempted to destroy the evidence collected by the press and assaulted three journalists: Enrique Davalos, Noelia Diaz and Christian Nunez, to whom we express our solidarity.

The violent response of the Paraguayan government strikes again to all Paraguayan families and is contrary to our tradition of solidarity and understanding. Our movement is pacifist, claimed love and dignity of a life free of violence, fear and discrimination; and will not be intimidated by an event as pitiful as this.

From SOMOSGAY and LESVOS we condemn all forms of violence and strongly repudiate the actions of the National Police of Government of Horacio Cartes, since these practices take our minds back to the darkest episodes in our history.

This, far from discouraging us, reaffirms our commitment to a free and equal Paraguay. We will continue to be here, as today expressing ourselves and fighting every day to build a Paraguayan society free and equal for everyone.

Say NO to the return of DICTATORSHIP and YES to democracy and equality!