5 November 2026
Paraguay must urgently address poor
conditions in detention facilities where some detainees’
basic needs are not being met, UN experts said today
following a visit to the country. They also stressed that
the ongoing prison reforms must not be driven solely by
security considerations but should prioritise rehabilitation
and safeguards against torture and ill-treatment.
The
experts from the UN
Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) acknowledged
the solid institutional framework and work of Paraguay’s
National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). They also recognised
the political will of the authorities to advance in the
separation of pre-trial detainees from convicted prisoners,
and to accommodate men and women in separate penitentiary
establishments.
“While we recognise advances,
structural challenges remain and must be addressed urgently.
Material conditions in certain judicial police departments,
police stations, and penitentiary facilities are preventing
detainees from having their most basic needs met, contrary
to Paraguay’s international human rights obligations,”
said Marco Feoli, head of the SPT delegation.
“The
new penitentiary model promoted by the Government must go
beyond an exclusively security-focused approach and
incorporate policies that facilitate social reintegration,
in accordance with international standards,” Feoli said.
“It must also include effective safeguards against torture
and ill-treatment, and measures to prevent
corruption.”
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
During its third mission to Paraguay,
from 25 October to 3 November 2026, the SPT visited 27
places of deprivation of liberty across the country,
including prisons, police stations, judicial police
departments, juvenile detention centres, drug rehabilitation
centres and the psychiatric hospital, among others. They
conducted confidential interviews with people deprived of
liberty and personnel working in these facilities. The
delegation also met with high-level State authorities, civil
society organisations, and other UN entities in
Paraguay.
Paraguay ratified the Optional
Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment (OPCAT) in 2005 and
established its NPM in 2011 accordingly. The SPT previously
visited Paraguay in 2009 and 2010.
The SPT will share
a confidential report containing its findings and
recommendations with the Paraguayan State within a few
months and encourages the State to make it public. SPT
reports aim to support efforts to prevent torture and
ill-treatment and improve detention conditions. The
Subcommittee will also prepare a separate, confidential
report for the NPM.
The SPT delegation comprised Marco
Feoli Villalobos, head of delegation (Costa Rica), Marie
Brasholt (Denmark), Carmen Comas-Mata (Spain), and Juan
Pablo Vegas (Peru). It was supported by two staff members
from the SPT secretariat and two UN security
officers.
