Our world-leading Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda will help break the business model of criminal people smuggling gangs and save lives. We are committed to working with a range of international partners to tackle the global migration crisis, and are always in talks with a range of partners about how we can work together. The UK continues to work closely with Paraguay on a range of issues which matter to us both.

The British Embassy in Asuncion regularly discusses both human rights and deforestation issues with the Paraguayan authorities, and the British Ambassador has raised this issue directly with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and for the Environment.

FCDO programme managers are currently working to determine the precise allocations for each programme in 2021/22. Each country's full allocation will be published in the FCDO Annual Report and Accounts, and in the 'Statistics on International Development: Final UK Aid Spend' publication in due course.

We remain a world-leading aid donor, and across HMG, will spend more than £10 billion in 2021  to fight poverty, tackle climate change, and improve global health.

The British Embassy in Asuncion is in regular contact with the Paraguayan authorities covering a wide range of issues, including the recent protests.

The British Embassy in Paraguay regularly raises these issues with the Government of Paraguay. The Secretary of State for Scotland discussed issues related to discrimination during his visit to Paraguay in September 2017. He discussed human rights with the Deputy Foreign Minister while noting Paraguay's co-operation with the UK on human rights issues at the UN Human Rights Council. We will continue to seek opportunities to press the Paraguayan Government to deliver against the recommendations in their 2016 Universal Periodic Review.

The EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) in Paraguay has issued a preliminary statement that the general election held on 22 April 2018 was "well-administered" but held in a "context of institutional weakness". Our diplomats in Paraguay took part in the observation mission and we agree with that initial assessment. We look forward to the publication of the EU EOM final report in June.

An EU Election Follow-Up Mission was deployed to Paraguay in April 2015 to assess the progress made in the implementation of the 2013 EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM). At that time it considered that there had been "significant progress" in the implementation of the EU EOM recommendations since the 2013 general elections. However, as the Preliminary Statement for the EU EOM after the April 2018 election points out, full implementation of all recommendations has not yet been achieved, including those aimed at strengthening the independence and transparency of public institutions, the control of political party financing, as well as at increasing the participation and representation of women in public life.

The following costs have been incurred for the visit to Paraguay and Argentina:

​British Embassy officials in Asuncion regularly discuss security issues with the Paraguayan authorities.

DFID provides no direct support for cultural projects in Paraguay.

For the six years to 2013 (most recent figures), trade between the United Kingdom and Paraguay was worth, £25m in 2008, £23m in 2009, £41m in 2010, £47m in 2011, £40m in 2012 and £53m in 2013.

In Paraguay, basic human rights as well as political and civic liberties such as the freedom of expression and assembly are normally respected. Free and fair elections are being held. The law and constitution provides for freedom of speech and press, and the government respect these rights. Individuals have criticised the government publicly and privately, generally without reprisal or impediment. We are pleased that Paraguay has been elected as member of the UN Council of Human Rights for the period 2015-2017 and are working closely with them.

However, despite good progress on a range of human rights issues, we would welcome improvements in a number of areas, including on: access to a fair trial; investigation of crimes; impunity; and a law against all forms of discrimination. We continue to raise a range of human rights issues with the Paraguayan government on a regular basis.

We have received reports from both local and international non-governmental organisations regarding the deforestation of the Chaco region of Paraguay. Our Embassy in Asuncion, accompanied by the World Land Trust and Guyra-Paraguay, met the Environment Minister earlier this year to urge the Government to adopt sustainable development principles and consider the needs of the indigenous people in the area.

On 29 June 2012, a Mercosur Summit formalised Paraguay's political (although not economic) suspension from Mercosur. Paraguay cannot participate, vote or veto any measures of the bloc until it is re-admitted. We expect the suspension to continue until the next presidential elections in April 2013.

The UK has carefully followed the situation in Paraguay and continues to keep it under close review. We are taking account of ongoing work and discussions in the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the European Union to ensure Paraguay respects its international commitments to human rights and to uphold democracy and the rule of law. We welcome the recent decision by the OAS to send a mission to observe the next general elections on 21 April 2013.

We are committed to strengthening our relationship with Paraguay. We plan to re-open an embassy in Asuncion in mid 2013. This new embassy will further strengthen British diplomatic engagement in the Latin American region. It will help to unlock commercial opportunities for British companies in this significant market. And it will allow us to work closely with Paraguay on regional issues such as counter-narcotics and organised crime. We will also be looking at ways of supporting democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Paraguay.

It is UK practice to recognise states, not Governments.

The UK continues to keep the situation in Paraguay under close review, taking account of the ongoing work and discussions in the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the European Union (EU), and in the region.

We welcome the report of the OAS Secretary-General of 10 July, which has examined the facts closely. There clearly are concerns about what has happened. Key areas highlighted include the need to: complete the judicial process; strengthen governance in Paraguay in the transition to the 2013 elections by promoting public dialogue and supporting the legal reforms that may help avoid further crises; and ensure the electoral process is participatory and transparent, and that there are no reprisals or exclusions, especially against former President Lugo or his supporters.

A spokesperson of Baroness Catherine Ashton, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, issued a statement on 23 June expressing concern and calling on all parties to respect the democratic will of the Paraguayan people. We will be working with our EU partners to see what the EU can do to support.

We are committed to strengthening our relationship with Paraguay. We plan to reopen an embassy in Asuncion in mid-2013. This new embassy will further strengthen British diplomatic engagement in the Latin American region; will help to unlock commercial opportunities for British companies in this significant market; and will allow us to work closely with Paraguay on regional issues such as counter-narcotics and organised crime. These will be our priorities, but the issues that the noble Lord raises are important and are not unrelated to our interest in supporting democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Paraguay.

It is UK practice to recognise states, not Governments.

The UK continues to keep the situation in Paraguay under close review, taking account of the ongoing work and discussions in the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the European Union (EU), and in the region.

We welcome the report of the OAS Secretary General of 10 July which has examined the facts closely. There clearly are concerns about what has happened. Key areas highlighted include the need to: complete the judicial process; strengthen governance in Paraguay in the transition to the 2013 elections by promoting public dialogue and supporting the legal reforms that may help avoid further crises; and ensure the electoral process is participatory and transparent, and that there are no reprisals or exclusions, especially against former President Lugo or his supporters.

A spokesperson of Baroness Catherine Ashton, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, issued a statement on 23 June expressing concern and calling on all parties to respect the democratic will of the Paraguayan people. We will be working with our EU partners to see what the EU can do to support.

We are committed to strengthening our relationship with Paraguay. We plan to re-open an embassy in Asuncion in mid 2013. This new embassy will further strengthen British diplomatic engagement in the Latin American region; help to unlock commercial opportunities for British companies in this significant market; and it will allow us to work closely with Paraguay on regional issues such as counter-narcotics and organised crime. We will also be looking at ways of supporting democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Paraguay.

The British Government is following political developments in Paraguay closely.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have met with the Paraguayan ambassador in London to discuss the situation. We welcome the decision on 26 June by the Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (Jose Miguel Insulza) to travel to Paraguay to gather information on recent events and to report back to the organisation’s Permanent Council next week.

The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (Baroness Ashton) issued a statement expressing concern and calling on all parties to respect the democratic will of the Paraguayan people.