Oral Statement at the 49th Session of the Human Rights Council
Item 4: General Debate
Date: 21 March 2022
Delivered by: Mr. VENIALGO GONZALES Martin
Mr. President,
VIVAT International would like to express its deep concern about the human rights situation of the indigenous, Guarani people from Paraguay. As Guarani community, I would like to share with you our extreme anxiety, because of the human rights violations committed against us.
In 2021, eleven of our communities were evicted, displacing 500 families without any resources to live. This shows that the legal framework in our country and actions undertaken by the governmental authorities are instruments at the service of those who have political and economic power. What is more, some international corporations that are linked to agriculture, and even to the so-called “development” projects, such as the binational hydroelectric dams Itaipu (Paraguay – Brazil) and Yacyretä (Paraguay – Argentina), were built on our lands without any agreement with us including reparation.
Every day we live in uncertainty that our community will be evicted. This situation generates anxiety, diminishes hope of a dignified future for our families.
The Paraguayan Indigenous Institute (INDI) does not have enough resources and capacity to provide answers to our problem.
We recommend that the government of Paraguay comply with the regulations that protect us and stop all the evictions.
Thank you for your attention.
Watch it on the United Nations’ Web TV (go to 02:29:30): https://media.un.org/en/asset/k11/k11vwnn3ao