Paraguay: Information on the situation of homosexuals
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | PRY26472.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Paraguay: Information on the situation of homosexuals, 1 March 1997, PRY26472.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abae2c.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Homosexual relations between consenting adults are not illegal in Paraguay (Third Pink Book 1993, 314; ILGA 1996, np; Index on Censorship Jan.-Feb. 1995, 202). However, the Third Pink Book notes that "there is no visible support for gay and lesbian rights" in Paraguay (1993, 314). Country Reports 1996 states that Gilberto Ramon Diaz, a transvestite prostitute, was shot by a police officer who was subsequently put under arrest pending investigation (1997, 1a).
Please consult the attached document from an International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) information package that provides information on the experiences of a gay Peace Corp volunteer living in Paraguay.
Also attached from the IGLHRC information package is a document stating that there is compulsory notification for people infected with AIDS. However, Latinamerica Press notes that homosexuals and bisexuals represent less than 30 per cent of AIDS cases in Paraguay (22 June 1995, 12).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1996. 1997. "Paraguay: Section 1a." United States Department of State. Washington, DC. [Internet] , [Internet] [Accessed 30 Jan 1997]
International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). 1996. Annual Report 1996. Brussels: ILGA.
Index on Censorship [London] January-February 1995. Vol. 24, No. 1. Laura Bruni. "Legal: Gay Legislation."
Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 22 June 1995. Vol. 27, No. 23. Larry Luxner. "AIDS Program Targets Prostitutes."
The Third Pink Book: A Global View of Lesbian and Gay Liberation and Oppression. 1993. Edited by Aart Hendriks et al. Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books.
Attachments
Index on Censorship [London] January-February 1995. Vol. 24, No. 1. Laura Bruni. "Legal: Gay Legislation," pp. 195, 202.
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), San Francisco. 4 March 1997. Excerpt from information package received by the DIRB.
International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). 1996. Annual Report 1996. Brussels: ILGA, np.
Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 22 June 1995. Vol. 27, No. 23. Larry Luxner. "AIDS Program Targets Prostitutes," p. 12.
Additional Sources Consulted
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Committee (IGLHRC) Action Alert [San Francisco]. Bi-monthly. Jan. 1994-Dec. 1996.
International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) Bulletin [Brussels]. Quarterly. Jan. 1995-Dec. 1996.
Out in the World: International Lesbian Organizing. 1991.
Two oral sources consulted did not provide information on the requested subject.
On-line search of media sources.
