kabarsula Institutional crisis demands a human rights-centred response bandar SLOT INDONESIA

In response to the financial and political crisis triggered by the initiation of resolution proceedings against a financial institution by the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP), which has sparked public protests and led to impeachment proceedings against President Santiago Peña, Amnesty International calls on the Paraguayan authorities to ensure the protection of those affected, guarantee transparency and respect the right to peaceful protest.

“Behind this crisis are people who cannot access their savings, families facing uncertainty, and workers and pensioners whose rights may be at risk. The State’s response must put people at the centre, provide effective solutions and ensure that no economic or political interest takes precedence over their rights,” said Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Director for the Americas.

Behind this crisis are people who cannot access their savings, families facing uncertainty, and workers and pensioners whose rights may be at risk.” 

Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Director for the Americas.

The inability to access savings may affect the right to an adequate standard of living of thousands of families who depend on these resources to meet their basic needs. Furthermore, the situation of pension and retirement funds linked to the financial institution under scrutiny poses risks to the right to social security, as well as potential impacts on the labour rights of people employed by the institution and other companies within its corporate group.

In this context, Amnesty International recalls that the State has an obligation to ensure that the companies involved exercise due diligence, prevent adverse human rights impacts and guarantee effective remedies. The announced measures to restore access to funds must be timely, effective and accessible, with particular attention to people in situations of heightened vulnerability.

It is also essential that the competent authorities conduct independent, impartial and thorough investigations to establish corporate, administrative and regulatory accountability, as well as to determine whether this crisis has resulted in human rights impacts. Accountability must be ensured regardless of public office or economic influence, while fully respecting due process guarantees.

“Public trust in institutions cannot be restored through partial explanations or responses that merely manage the consequences of a crisis. It is built through access to public information, independent oversight, transparent decision-making and guarantees that potential wrongdoing will be investigated objectively and transparently and, where appropriate, sanctioned. It also requires ensuring that those affected have access to effective remedies when their rights have been violated,” said Ana Piquer.

Public trust in institutions cannot be restored through partial explanations or responses that merely manage the consequences of a crisis. It is built through access to public information, independent oversight, transparent decision-making and guarantees that potential wrongdoing will be investigated objectively and transparently and, where appropriate, sanctioned.” 

Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Director for the Americas.

Amnesty International also expresses concern over reports of the use of crowd-dispersal methods and equipment, including tear gas and water cannon, by security forces against people protesting in Asunción on the night of 4 November. The authorities must protect the exercise of the right to peaceful protest in accordance with international human rights standards.

Amnesty International urges the Paraguayan authorities to ensure the timely return of deposits, protect pension and retirement funds, safeguard the labour rights of those affected and guarantee independent investigations into potential wrongdoing. It also calls on the authorities to ensure access to public information, investigate allegations of excessive use of force and strengthen oversight and regulatory mechanisms to prevent further human rights violations.

The resolution of this crisis cannot be measured solely by the recovery of the financial resources at stake. Paraguay must demonstrate that it has effective oversight mechanisms, accountable authorities and safeguards to ensure that people’s rights are not subordinated to economic or political interests. It must also establish effective regulatory and preventive frameworks to fulfil its responsibility to prevent, mitigate and ensure accountability for human rights impacts arising from business and commercial activities in the country.

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