UNITED NATIONS
E
Distr.
GENERAL
Economic and Social Council
E/C.12/PRY/CO/3
4 January 2008
ENGLISH Original: SPANISH
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Thirty ninth session Geneva, 5 23 November 2007
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY
STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLES 16 AND 17 OF
THE COVENANT
Concluding observations of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights
Paraguay
1. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the second and third periodic reports of Paraguay on the
implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/PRY/3) at its 44th, 45th and 46th
meetings, held on 13 and 14 November 2007 (E/C.12/2007/SR.44 46), and adopted, at its 55th meeting, held on 21 November
2007, the following concluding observations.
A. Introduction
2. The Committee welcomes with satisfaction the submission of the second and third periodic reports of the State party, although
late, and the written replies to its list of issues. The Committee also appreciates the presence of a high level delegation from the State
party, which is comprised of specialists in subjects covered by the Covenant, and illustrates the importance the State party attaches to
dialogue with the Committee. It regrets, however, that some of its questions have remained unanswered.
B. Positive aspects
3. The Committee notes with satisfaction that during the period covered by the second and third periodic reports, the State party
adopted the new Penal Code and the new Code of Criminal Procedure; the Code on Children and Adolescents (Act No. 1680/01);
the Domestic Violence Act (Act No. 1600/00); and Act No. 2861/06 penalizing the trade in and distribution of pornographic
material representing minors and persons with disabilities, and that it ratified the Inter American Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities.
4. The Committee notes with satisfaction the activities undertaken by the Office of the Ombudsman in the area of economic,
social and cultural rights, in particular those related to the rights to education, work and health.
5. The Committee notes with satisfaction the courses and activities undertaken by the Human Rights Commission, under the
Ministry of Justice and Labour, aimed at promoting human rights.
6.
The Committee notes with satisfaction the efforts of the State party in the area of literacy.
7. The Committee welcomes the progress made by the State party in extending the coverage of civil status registration to include
the entire population and especially indigenous communities.
8. The Committee welcomes the programmes designed to provide alternatives to the internment of delinquent minors, and also
notes the separation of minors and adults in detention facilities.
9.
The Committee welcomes with satisfaction the establishment of a Secretariat for Women, at the ministerial level.
10.
The Committee notes the efforts of the State party to curb deforestation in Paraguay.
C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Covenant