Written question asked by Cathy Jamieson (Labour) on Thursday, 15 September 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 October 2011. It was answered by Jeremy Browne (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 11 October 2011 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Paraguay: Forests

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask HM ambassador in Paraguay to raise with the Paraguayan authorities allegations of illegal land clearances within the ancestral lands of the Ayoreo-Totobiegosode Indians in the Chaco.

Answer: Paraguay's constitution gives legal recognition to its indigenous people. Paraguay has ratified the indigenous and tribal people's convention of the International Labour Organisation and voted in favour for the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. However, Paraguay's institutional framework could more effectively protect and promote the rights of indigenous people. During the recent Universal Periodic Review of Paraguay's human rights record at the UN, the UK pushed for Paraguay to ensure land disputes involving indigenous people are resolved effectively. Paraguay accepted this recommendation and committed to establishing a proper process to do so. UK relations with Paraguay are conducted through our embassy in Buenos Aires. The UK will continue to monitor this situation from there and through the EU Delegation in Asuncion.

Secondary information