Contact Admin. Paraguay is a multiparty, constitutional republic with a population of approximately 6. Voters elected Fernando Lugo of the Patriotic Alliance for Change as president in generally free and fair April 20 elections that ended 61 years of Colorado Party rule.
The civilian authorities generally maintained control of the security forces. Although the government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, there were serious abuses in some areas. There were reports of killings by police, which the government investigated but rarely prosecuted.
Some prisoners were reportedly subject to torture and abuse by government agents. Prisons were routinely overcrowded. Political interference, corruption, and inefficiency in the judiciary were common, as was lengthy pretrial detention. Journalists were harassed and intimidated. Government corruption was a serious problem.
Violence and discrimination against women, indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities continued, as did trafficking in persons. Exploitative child labor and violations of workers' rights were serious problems. The government or its agents did not commit any politically motivated killings; however, there were reports that security forces using unwarranted or excessive force killed several persons, including persons in their custody.
On August 22, police officers shot and killed year-old Leticia Veronica Lugo in Villa Elisa, after she failed to stop her vehicle for inspection and led them on a brief chase. Prosecutors were investigating 12 police officers, including local police commissioner Federico Noguera, for attempted homicide and failure to assist the victim.
