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Constitution of the Republic of Paraguay 1992, as amended to 2011
Indigenous Peoples
- EnglishThis Constitution recognizes the existence of the indigenous peoples, defined as groups of [a] culture prior to the formation and the organization of the Paraguayan State. (Art. 62)
- SpanishEsta Constitución reconoce la existencia de los pueblos indígenas, definidos como grupos de cultura anteriores a la formación y organización del Estado paraguayo. (Art. 62)
Indigenous Peoples
- EnglishThe right of the indigenous peoples to preserve and to develop their ethnic identity in the respective habitat is recognized and guaranteed. They have the right, likewise, to freely apply their systems of political, social, economic, cultural, and religious organization, as well as the voluntarily subjection to their customary norms for the regulation of [their] internal coexistence [convivencia], as long as they do not infringe upon the fundamental rights established in this Constitution. Concerning conflicts of jurisdiction the indigenous customary right will be taken into account. (Art. 63)
- SpanishQueda reconocido y garantizado el derecho de los pueblos indígenas a preservar y a desarrollar su identidad étnica en el respectivo hábitat. Tienen derecho, asimismo, a aplicar libremente sus sistemas de organización política, social, económica, cultural y religiosa, al igual que la voluntaria sujeción a sus normas consuetudinarias para la regulación de la convivencia interior siempre que ellas no atenten contra los derechos fundamentales establecidos en esta Constitución. En los conflictos jurisdiccionales se tendrá en cuenta el derecho consuetudinario indígena. (Art. 63)
Indigenous Peoples
- EnglishThe indigenous peoples have [the] right to communal ownership of the land [propiedad comunitaria], in [an] extension and quality sufficient for the preservation and the development of their particular [peculiares] forms of lifestyles. The State will provide them gratuitously with these lands, which will be non-seizable [inembargables], indivisible, non-transferrable, imprescriptible, not susceptible to guarantee contractual obligations nor to be leased; likewise, they will be exempt from taxes.
The removal or transfer of [the indigenous peoples] from their habitat without their express consent is prohibited. (Art. 64) - SpanishLos pueblos indígenas tienen derecho a la propiedad comunitaria de la tierra, en extensión y calidad suficientes para la conservación y el desarrollo de sus formas peculiares de vida. El Estado les proveerá gratuitamente de estas tierras, las cuales serán inembargables, indivisibles, intransferibles, imprescriptibles, no susceptibles de garantizar obligaciones contractuales ni de ser arrendadas; asimismo, estarán exentas de tributo.
Se prohibe la remoción o traslado de su hábitat sin el expreso consentimiento de los mismos. (Art. 64)
Indigenous Peoples
- EnglishThe right to participate in the economic, social, political and cultural life of the country, is guaranteed to the Indigenous peoples in accordance with their customary uses, of the Constitution, and the national laws. (Art. 65)
- SpanishSe garantiza a los pueblos indígenas el derecho a participar en la vida económica, social, política y cultural del país, de acuerdo con sus usos consuetudinarios, ésta Constitución y las leyes nacionales. (Art. 65)
Indigenous Peoples
- EnglishThe State will respect the cultural particulars [peculiaridades] of the indigenous peoples, especially in that related to formal education. In addition, their defense against demographic regression, the depredation of their habitat, environmental contamination, economic exploitation, and cultural alienation[,] will be attended to. (Art. 66)
- SpanishEl Estado respetará las peculiaridades culturales de los pueblos indígenas especialmente en lo relativo a la educación formal. Se atenderá, además, a su defensa contra la regresión demográfica, la depredación de su hábitat, la contaminación ambiental, la explotación económica y la alienación cultural. (Art. 66)
Indigenous Peoples
- English[The following] are duties and attributions of the Public Ministry:
...
2. to promote public penal action to defend the public and social patrimony, the environment and other various [difusos] interests, as well as the rights of the Indigenous Peoples;
… (Art. 268) - SpanishSon deberes y atribuciones del Ministerio Público:
…
2. promover acción penal pública para defender el patrimonio público y social, el medio ambiente y otros intereses difusos, así como los derechos de los pueblos indígenas;
… (Art. 268)
1
Constitution of the Republic of Paraguay 1992, as amended to 2011 (English). According to Art. 140: “… Castilian and Guarani are official languages. …”
3
Chapter XII on Constitutional Guarantees.