PARAGUAY (continued)
CONFIDENTIAL
Right No.
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
the prisoner, rather than on in- structions from a higher level. However, the Government does not appear to be making efforts to control the use of torture al- though it is aware that it takes place. It may therefore be as- sumed that it condones its use.
There is no slavery known.
How-
Rating suggested by Post
Communist and other left-wing ideologies, philosophies and con- cepts are forbidden and anyone professing them would be subject to legal action, imprisonment without trial or expulsion. ever, moderate opposition to the regime is permitted, and opposition political parties exist, although they are harassed. An opposition press is permitted, but also har- assed, and opposition papers are often banned for lengthy periods.
The majority of the Supreme Court members belong to the ruling party and are appointed by the President. Judicial independence is therefore minimal in fact, although techni- cally complete.
The Paraguayan Confederation of Workers, the main trade union body, is controlled by the populist rul- ing government party. Any attempt to organise trade union opposition to the government would be quashed.
5
(6)
9
7
(8)
2
There have been cases of the auth- orities refusing to grant passport facilities to those whom they do not wish to leave the country, but there is little evidence of any widespread restriction on emigration. In any case, with Paraguay's exten- sive and often remote land frontiers it would be nigh impossible to en- force such restrictions.
CONFIDENTIAL
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