Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) - Paraguay (Ratification: 1993)

1. The Committee notes with regret that no report has been communicated following the detailed observation made in 2002 and the long discussion of this case that took place in the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards in June 2003.

2. The Committee recalls that the available information indicates serious problems in the application of the Convention in Paraguay, as outlined in the previous comments, and that communication between the Office and the Government on this situation has been restricted. The Committee notes from the information communicated by the Government during the discussion in the Conference Committee that some measures are being taken, but that a great deal remains to be done.

3. The Committee once again draws attention to the allegations of forced labour being practised against indigenous peoples received from the World Confederation of Labour in 1997, and regrets that the Government also has not provided a report on the application of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29).

4. The Committee also notes that during the Conference Committee discussion the Government requested the Office’s technical assistance, which the Office had not yet found it possible to provide by the time of the Committee’s session; it hopes that efforts will continue in this respect, and will shortly show positive results.

5. The Committee is therefore repeating its previous direct request, and hopes to receive a detailed report from the Government for its next session.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2004.]