JOINT STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of Paraguay covering the period 2018 - 2019 Accompanying the document Joint Report to the European Parliament and the Council Report on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences covering the period 2018-2019
Date: 2020-02-10
Institutions: Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, European Commission
Subjects: EU market, Paraguay, common commercial policy, development aid, generalised preferences, human rights, international convention, sustainable development, tariff preference

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY Brussels, 10.2.2020  SWD(2020) 21 final  JOINT STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT  The EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance ('GSP+') assessment of Paraguay covering the period 2018 - 2019   Accompanying the document Joint Report to the European Parliament and the Council Report on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences covering the period 2018-2019 {JOIN(2020) 3 final} - {SWD(2020) 16 final} - {SWD(2020) 17 final} - {SWD(2020) 18 final} - {SWD(2020) 19 final} - {SWD(2020) 20 final} - {SWD(2020) 22 final} - {SWD(2020) 23 final} - {SWD(2020) 24 final} - {SWD(2020) 25 final}  
 
 
Paraguay  

1.  Summary Assessment 

Paraguay benefitted from advantageous access to the internal market since the EU instituted 
the first iteration of GSP in 1971. The year 2019 marked Paraguay’s departure from the GSP+ 
arrangement of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences, of which it benefitted in 2009-2018. 
The  World  Bank  classified  the  country  as  an  upper-middle  income  country  for  three 
consecutive  years.  Therefore,  it  was  removed  as  a  beneficiary  country.  During  this  decade-
long  period,  Paraguay  made  significant  achievements  in  most  areas  covered  under  the  27 
international conventions of GSP+.  

Overall,  Paraguay  increasingly  benefitted  from  its  status  as  a  GSP+  beneficiary,  whilst  also 
making  progress  on  its  sustainable  development  and  good  governance  commitments. 
Commitments that continued after the obligations ended.  

Under  the  scope  of  human  rights,  the  Paraguayan  monitoring  system  (SIMORE),  which 
allows  assessing  and  monitoring  the  implementation  of  recommendations  made  by 
international human rights mechanisms, is not only being applied in Paraguay, but also being 
exported to other countries and becoming a reference for survey and monitoring purposes.  

Examples of positive progress  in  2018 are the signature of the Kampala amendments  to  the 
Rome Statutes regarding war and aggression crimes; ratification of Escazu regional agreement 
on  environmental  rights;  a  law  on  positive  discrimination  regarding  employment  of 
indigenous  professionals;  a  law  on  prevention  of  sexual  abuse  among  children  and 
adolescents.  

Paraguay took sustained steps to combat organised crime and trafficking in human beings, 
and has announced its candidature for membership to the UN Human Rights Council for the 
period 2022-2025. 

Political  ethics, institutional  capacity  and independence of  all Paraguayan  state powers (and 
their representatives)  would  benefit from  being  enhanced, in  particular that  of the judiciary. 
Persisting 
institutional  weaknesses  adversely  affect  democracy,  human  rights  and 
enforcement of rule of law, and erode the citizens' confidence in the system. 

A number of commitments – namely with regard to the core conventions of the International 
Labour  Organisation  (ILO)  and  key  multilateral  environmental  agreements  (MEAs)  –  have 
also been enshrined in the Trade and Sustainable Development Chapter of the EU-Mercosur 
Association  Agreement,    the  political  agreement  on  which  was  reached  in  June  2019.  This 
Agreement  will  provide  an  important  framework  for  future  cooperation  on  labour  and 
environmental issues.  

Status of ratification and reporting 

Throughout  its  time  as  a  GSP+  beneficiary,  Paraguay  maintained  the  ratification  of  all  27 
GSP+ conventions with no reservations. Paraguay is compliant with its reporting obligations, 
except  under  several  environmental  (the  Convention  on  International  Trade  in  Endangered 
Species of Wild Flora and Fauna - CITES, the Convention on Biological Diversity - CBD, the 
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 

1 

 
 
 
 
and the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes 
and  Their  Disposal)  and  one  human  rights  convention  (the  International  Convention  on  the 
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination - CERD). 

2. Recent Developments 

In 2019, Paraguay celebrated 30 years since its return to democracy. During this period, and 
under  a  new  democratic  constitution  dating  from  1992,  it  has  made  significant  strides  to 
reduce poverty and inequality, notably in addressing the country's large disparities in wealth 
distribution.  The  country’s  economy  grew  considerably  during  the  period,  with  total  output 
increasing over eightfold and GDP per capita growing fivefold.1 

EU – Paraguay Bilateral Development Cooperation 

The  EU  is  the  largest  development  assistance  donor  in  Paraguay  in  terms  of  grants.  The 
Multiannual  Indicative Programme for Paraguay  provides for  € 168 million for the 2014-
2020 period and focuses on education (€ 85 million), private sector development and trade 
(€  20  million),  social  development  (€  48  million),  electoral  reform  and  governance  (€  10 
million),  and  support  measures  (€  5  million).  Modalities  of  implementation  include  both 
sector budget support and traditional projects. 

In  the  education  sector,  EU’s  objective  is  to  contribute  to  guarantee  the  access,  the 
improvement  of  quality,  the  governance  and  equity  of  Paraguayan  education  as  a  public 
good for all children and youth. The EU is the largest grant donor in this sector.  

In  the  private  sector  development  sector,  EU’s  objective  is  to  support  sustainable  and 
inclusive  growth  through  an  improved  investment  climate  and  enhanced  competitiveness, 
with particular focus on SMEs. 

In the social protection sector, EU’s objective is to contribute to the reduction of extreme 
poverty by strengthening the social protection system, enhancing the quality of and access 
to public services.  

In the democracy, participation, and institutional strengthening sector, EU’s objective 
is  to  support  democracy,  credible  elections  in  line  with  the  national  legislation  and 
international  conventions  subscribed  by  the  country,  rule  of  law  and  the  functioning  of 
public institutions. 

Paraguay also benefits from the regional cooperation programmes for Latin America such 
as  AL  -INVEST  (for  the  internationalisation  of  SMEs),  €OsociAL+  (on  Social  Policies, 
Employment,  Education,  Public  Finance  Management,  and  Justice),  €OCLIMA+  (on 
climate governance, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and water management), EL 
PAcCTO and COPOLAD II (on organised crime and security issues). 

1 https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=PY 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
3. EU-Paraguay Trade and GSP 

Paraguay's economy grew by 4% in 2018, despite a rather complex regional situation and a 
drop in the prices of its key exports. By mid-2019, the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) had to 
downgrade the expected GDP growth to 1.5%.  

Paraguay's macroeconomic fundamentals remain good. Inflation is relatively low (4%), as are 
public  debt  (20.2%  of  GDP)  and  deficit  levels  (1.3%  of  GDP).  Official  reserves  are  high 
(20.1% of GDP). The World  Bank has classified  Paraguay as upper-middle income country 
for three years in a row. 

In 2018, the EU was Paraguay's fourth most important trading partner, behind Brazil, China 
and Argentina. Paraguay runs a trade deficit with China and Argentina, but a surplus with the 
EU  and  Brazil.  Brazil  (32%),  Argentina  (30%)  and  the  EU  (8%)  are  Paraguay's  most 
important export partners. 

In 2018, Paraguay's exports to the EU were worth € 0.7 billion, with imports from the EU of 
the same amount. Imports from the EU include vehicles and machinery, while soybeans (and 
other  seeds)  continue  to  dominate  Paraguay's  exports  to  the  EU.  Paraguay's  main  imports 
from  Mercosur  countries  are  oils,  machinery  and  equipment,  and  motor  vehicles.  Its  main 
export to its neighbours is hydro-power. Paraguay is the world's sixth-biggest meat exporter, 
notably  exporting  meat  to  non-Mercosur  Latin  American  countries.  In  addition,  Paraguay 
earns significant foreign currency revenue, including from retail services and tourism. 

In  June  2019,  the  EU  and  Mercosur  concluded  negotiations  of  the  trade  part  of  the 
Association  Agreement,  which  will  underpin  EU-Paraguay  trade  relations  once  it  has  been 
signed and provisionally applied. 

Figures 1-3 below describe Paraguay’s utilisation of GSP+ in the context of the EU's overall 
imports  from  Paraguay2.  Paraguay  is  the  only  Mercosur  member  that  benefits  from  GSP+ 
with zero tariffs on 91% of products, offering potential scope for future diversification. GSP+ 
preferences  continue  to  have  little  impact  on  Paraguay's  exports  as  soybeans  and  their 
residues  benefit  from  zero  MFN  tariffs.  Paraguay's  exports  to  the  EU  have  increasingly 
benefitted from GSP+, from €36 million in 2016 to €104 million in 2018. Soybean oil is an 
important potential growth area. 

Figure 1: Imports to the EU 2016-2018 – GSP+ utilisation rate 

2 GSP-statistics only cover goods imported in the EU market, i.e. goods released for free circulation in the EU. 
The GSP statistics do not cover other EU-imports, like goods imported for the customs inward processing 
procedure or re-imports after the customs outward processing procedure 

3 

Paraguay - imports to the EU 2016-2018 (M€)201620172018trend 2016-2018Total imports1074.51147.7735.6-31.5%GSP+ eligible41.754.0110.2164.1%GSP+ preferential36.647.5104.4185.6%Utilisation rate87.6%88.1%94.8%8.1% 
 
 
 
                                                 
Figure 2: Imports to the EU 2016-2018 by regime 

Figure 3: Product Diversification of GSP+ Preferential Imports, 2018 

Paraguay GSP imports to EU  

S-03 animal and veg oils

S-04b food preparations

S8a raw hides and skins

S-09a wood art

S4c tobacco

S-08b leather

S-02b fruits and vegetables

other

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

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4. Compliance with GSP+ Obligations 

4.1  UN Human Rights Conventions  

In  2019,  Paraguay  issued  its  voluntary  midterm  report  on  the  implementation  of 
recommendations  received  during  the  second  Universal  Periodic  Review  in  February  2016. 
Paraguay  presented  its  fourth  report  on  civil  and  political  rights  at  the  Human  Rights 
Committee  in  Geneva  in  July  2019.  According  to  the  government,  the  report  took  stock  of 
progress  made  over  the  last  four  years,  with  focus  in  particular  on  women,  children,  and 
places of imprisonment. 

International  Convention  on  the  Elimination  of  All  Forms  of  Racial 
Discrimination (CERD) 

The  last  Concluding  Observations  from  the  Committee  on  the  Elimination  of  Racial 
Discrimination date from 2016, and were already covered in the Commission’s GSP+ report 
covering the years 2016-17. The positive aspects highlighted by the Committee included the 
adoption  of  an  Act  on  Indigenous  Peoples  Health  promulgated  in  September  2015,  which 
established the National Directorate for Indigenous Peoples Health, the National Council for 
Indigenous  Peoples  Health,  and  the  National  Council  for  Indigenous  Peoples  Education. 
Areas  of  concern  included  the  existing  discrimination  against  indigenous  people  and  in 
particular against indigenous women. A number of actions taken by Paraguay on these issue 
areas have already been identified in the last GSP+ report. 

During the current GSP+ monitoring cycle, Paraguay made progress in the implementation of 
the judgements of the Inter-American  Court  of  Human  Rights  (IACHR) on restitution of 
ancestral  lands  to  originating  peoples.  The  country  has  established  an  inter-ministerial 
committee  to  implement  the  Court  decisions  and  put  legislation  in  place  for  the  return  of 
traditional land to the Sawhoyamaxa community. In May 2019, ten years after the judgement, 
the  Government  transferred  the  first  part  of  the  financial  assistance  to  communities  Xamok 
Kasek and Yakye Axa. Nevertheless, some doubts remain, as the civil society organisations 
that  presented  the  case  in  front  of  the  Court  have  been  excluded  from  the  management  of 
assistance,  which  has  been  handed  over  directly  to  the  community  leaders  who  lack 
administrative capacity. The IACHR undertook visits to Paraguay to review these judgments. 
Restitution  of  land  to  other  communities  has  been  limited,  and  cases  of  land  evictions 
continued.  In  November  2019,  the  Chamber  of  Senators  of  Paraguay  has  decided  to 
expropriate  the  strip  necessary  to  build  a  path  for  the  Yakye  Axa  indigenous  community  to 
reach its lands. 

The  Government  is  also  finalising  a  National  Strategy  for  Indigenous  Communities  and 
President  Abdo  adopted  a  decree  on  consulting  indigenous  communities  ahead  of  decisions 
relevant  to  their  territories  and  livelihoods.  An  implementing  regulation  is  being  discussed, 
with  concerns  about  the  heavy  bureaucracy  involved  in  these  future  consultations.  As  the 
country  prepares  for  the  2022  Indigenous  Census,  more  determined  efforts  are  necessary  to 
properly address shortcomings in the legal protection for indigenous peoples' rights over their 
lands and resources, as well as their inclusion in public life and widespread poverty and socio-
economic exclusion. 

5 

 
 
 
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 

Ahead of the 2018 general elections, Paraguay implemented measures to facilitate voting by 
people  with  disabilities,  such  as  registration  campaigns,  the  possibility  to  vote  at  home  for 
citizens  of  advanced  age  or  with  a  severe  disability,  training  of  election  civil  servants  to 
register and assist  disabled voters, and dedicated conferences and seminars. A care protocol 
for  access  to  justice  of  people  with  psychosocial  disabilities  has  been  adopted  and  the 
authorities  have  organised  capacity  building  to  facilitate  proper  implementation.  The  EU 
Election Observation Mission also issued recommendations after the  2018 general elections, 
including about the existing limitations to voting rights of deaf-mute people, prisoners without 
a sentence, and soldiers undergoing training.3  

The UN Human Rights Council issued final recommendations following the IV Review of the 
CCPR in July 2019. The Council recognised some progress in monitoring recommendations 
and in implementing sentences of international bodies and courts, raising age for marriage to 
18  years,  legislation  on  violence  against  women,  and  measures  to  protect  domestic  workers 
(minimum age and salary). However, it also listed its main concerns, which the government 
needs  to  address  further.  Those  include,  among  others,  the  implementation  of  the  National 
Human  Rights  Plan,  the  need  for  progress  in  justice  for  victims  of  the  dictatorship,  and  for 
tackling  the  human  rights  violations  of  the  Joint  Army  Police  Task  Force.  It  also 
recommended improving access to the population register for indigenous people.   

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) 

The  last  Concluding  Observations  from  the  Committee  on  Economic,  Social  and  Cultural 
Rights date from March 2015, and were already covered in the last GSP+ report. Paraguay’s 
next state party report in not due until March 2020. 

The Secretariat of Culture is drafting a law on protection of the Afro-Paraguayan community, 
with no final date confirmed so far. 

Convention  on  the  Elimination  of  All  Forms  of  Discrimination  Against 
Women (CEDAW) 

The last Concluding Observations from the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination 
Against Women date from November 2017. Paraguay’s next state party report is not due until 
November 2021. 

Despite the adoption in 2016 of a law on Comprehensive Protection of Women Against All 
Forms of Violence, which established femicide as a specific criminal offence, the number of 
reported  femicides  in  Paraguay  has  been  on  the  rise  every  year,  totalling  56  in  2018.  An 
important achievement in 2019 was the adoption of legislation that guarantees the access to 
minimum salary to domestic workers, who are mostly women. 

A proposal for a law on democratic parity, drafted in cooperation with the EU, was eventually 
watered  down  in  the  Parliament  in  2018  and  ultimately  vetoed  by  President  Abdo.  Further 
attempts  at  enshrining  elements  of  gender  parity  in  electoral  legislation  have  also  stalled  in 

3 https://eeas.europa.eu/sites/eeas/files/eueompy2018_final_report_recommendations_0.pdf 

6 

 
 
 
                                                 
2019. It is unclear at this moment whether such legislation can receive enough support in the 
foreseeable future.  

More  broadly,  the  main  implementation  shortcomings  with  regard  to  CEDAW  identified  in 
the  last  GSP+  report  remain.  These  include  the  persistence  of  unpaid  domestic  labour  of 
young girls, the vulnerable situation of indigenous women, in particular with regard to access 
to adequate food and safe drinking water, the low participation of women in decision-making 
bodies and public life, wage gaps between men and women, and a high illiteracy rate among 
women,  especially  in  rural  areas.  Preventative  action  against  domestic  violence  should  be 
stepped  up,  as  domestic  and  gender-related  violence  remains  an  issue.  Sexual  education  of 
young girls needs to be enhanced. Another shortcoming is that abortion remains criminalised 
in  all  circumstances,  including  in  cases  of  abuse,  rape,  or  serious  danger  for  mother/child. 
Furthermore, a general anti-discrimination law has not yet been passed. 

Convention  against  Torture  and  other  Cruel,  Inhuman  or  Degrading 
Treatment or Punishment (CAT) 

The last Concluding Observations from the Committee Against Torture date from September 
2017. Paraguay’s next state party report is due in August 2021.  

Paraguay's  National  Mechanism  of  Prevention  of  Torture  (NMPT)  continues  to  be  a  key 
element  in  the  country's  efforts  to  prevent  torture  and  other  cruel,  inhuman,  or  degrading 
treatment or punishment. The mechanism has continued to disseminate best practices and to 
alert  the national  authorities to  cases of  abuse  and mistreatment.  The implementation  of the 
legislation regulating the duties and powers of enforcement bodies remains a challenge for the 
justice system. 

The authorities and civil society organisations have promoted successful initiatives to help the 
well-being and future reintegration of incarcerated women. 

Key  implementation  concerns  relate  to  the  widespread  use  of  pre-trial  detention,  poor 
conditions  in  prisons,  abuses  of  detainees  under  police  custody,  and  limited  prosecution  of 
officers committing abuse and/or torture. 

Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 

The  last  concluding  observations  from  the  Committee  on  the  Rights  of  the  Child  date  from 
February 2010; Paraguay’s last state party report was submitted in March 2018. 

Over the last couple of years, Paraguay has continued to undertake the efforts highlighted in 
the  previous  GSP+  report  –  namely  with  regards  to  the  Abrazo  and  Painac  programmes 
(aiming  to  eliminate  the  worst  forms  of  child  labour  and  decrease  the  number  of  street 
children,  respectively),  as  well  as  tackling  the  practice  of  criadazgo  (children  working  as 
domestic servants). However, further steps are needed. Statistical data on issues such as birth 
certificates,  child  abuse,  and  child  labour  need  to  be  improved.  Issues  such  as  the 
discrimination  of children of indigenous communities, the persistence of  criadazgo, the still 
high  number  of  working  children  among  indigenous  communities,  and  high  rates  of  child 
pregnancy are matters that deserve further attention. 

7 

 
 
 
Conclusions and priorities 

Paraguay has made progress in effectively implementing human rights commitments in 2018, 
taking  into  account  its  overall  socioeconomic  situation  and  institutional  resources.  In 
particular,  Paraguay  has  made  efforts  to  fight  discrimination  and  promote  and  protect  the 
rights  of  children,  adolescents  and  persons  with  disabilities.  Awareness  of  human  rights 
obligations  has  increased,  partly  as  a  result  of  the  membership  of  the  UN  Human  Rights 
Council  in  2015-2017.  At  the  end  of  2016,  Paraguay  adopted  the  law  on  Comprehensive 
Protection of Women Against all Forms of Violence. 

Sustained  action  for  effective  and  systematic  implementation  of  human  rights  commitments 
remains nonetheless necessary. Further attention is needed, in particular with regard to the 
rights  of  indigenous  peoples,  violence  and  discrimination  against  women,  child  labour, 
discrimination against LGBTI persons, as well as the overall functioning of the justice system, 
including  conditions  in  prisons  and  pre-trial  detention.  More  determined  efforts  remain 
necessary regarding Paraguay's fight against widespread poverty and inequality. Following 
its  membership of  the UN Human Rights Council  (HRC) in  2015-2017, Paraguay wishes to 
assume responsibility for a new term (2022-2025) in the HRC framework. 

Steps to increase transparency and fight corruption are expected to have a positive impact on 
the  protection  of  human  rights,  provided  that  they  are  sustained  and  carried  out  with  the 
necessary determination. The issue of access to land and land ownership should be properly 
addressed. 

Various  initiatives  to  combat  discrimination  of  indigenous  peoples  are  part  of  Paraguay's 
future actions. The implementation of the Action Protocol for Intercultural Justice, including 
dispositions for the handling of judicial processes involving indigenous peoples is underway. 
Workshops to inform indigenous communities of their electoral rights and obligations will be 
continued. The restitution of land to indigenous communities, such as to  the Yakye Axa and 
Xakmok Kasek communities is on-going, though progress so far has been slow. Also part of 
Paraguay's  future  actions  is  the  implementation  of  the  cooperation  agreement  between  the 
Ministry of Women and the Paraguayan Institute for Indigenous People (INDI), which aims to 
tackle the discrimination of indigenous women. 

In  view  of  the  2020  municipal  elections,  Paraguay  should  allow  voting  rights  to  deaf-mute 
people, prisoners without a sentence, and soldiers undergoing military training. After several 
delays, a law on democratic/gender parity is yet to be adopted. 

The Paraguayan authorities will continue implementing various programmes to promote and 
protect the rights of children and adolescents. In addition, Paraguay will further implement 
the  National  Plan  for  the  prevention  and  eradication  of  sexual  exploitation  of  children  and 
adolescents.  Legislative  initiatives  are  also  underway,  in  particular  the  draft  law  on 

8 

 
 
 
criadazgo  and  dangerous  works  by  children.  Efforts  are  being  undertaken  to  reinforce 
statistics on child abuse and child labour. Paraguay has also announced its intention to work 
towards  a  national  protection  mechanism  for  human  rights  defenders;  draft  legislation 
remains pending. 

4.2  ILO Labour Rights Conventions  

Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining (Conventions 87 and 98) 

Since  the  last  GSP  report,  there  has  been  limited  progress  in  the  area  of  freedom  of 
association and  collective bargaining. This  largely  appears to  be the  case. Unions have also 
claimed that persecution of trade unionists had worsened. However, in 2018, there was some 
hope shared among unions that the new Minister of Labour, Carla Bacigalupo, was interested 
in greater dialogue with unions. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has maintained 
its  request  for  Paraguay  to  address  the  incompatibility  of  national  legislation  with  ILO 
Convention  87.  Additional  concerns  remain  with  regards  to  Convention  98,  particularly  on 
protection  against  anti-union  acts  and  prevention  of  discrimination  against  union  members. 
More information on the specific concerns can be found in the last GSP report. With regard to 
Freedom  of  Association,  limited  resources  to  investigate  violations  as  well  as  insufficient 
penalties to deter violations continue to be highlighted by the US Department of State. 

Abolition of Forced Labour (Conventions 29 and 105) 

Over  the  years,  the  ILO  has  repeatedly  pointed  to  the  situation  of  the  many  indigenous 
workers  in  agricultural  ranches  in  the  Paraguayan  Chaco,  who  continue  to  be  exposed  to 
bonded  labour.  Labour  exploitation  of  indigenous  workers  in  several  regions  of  the  country 
persists  and  is  particularly  concentrated  in  the  agricultural  sector.  In  particular,  in  a  2017 
individual case, the ILO invited Paraguay to allocate sufficient material and human resources 
to the Ministry of Labour offices in the Chaco region for receiving workers'  complaints and 
reports on forced labour. Paraguay was also requested to ensure that judicial proceedings are 
launched against persons exacting forced labour in the form of debt bondage, and to continue 
strengthening  the  capacity  of labour inspectors.  Finally,  the  ILO invited Paraguay  to  ensure 
that the national criminal law contains sufficiently specific provisions to enable the competent 
authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against the perpetrators of these practices.  

To address this issue, Paraguay has taken a number of measures including awareness-raising 
activities,  trainings  of  magistrates  and  labour  inspectors,  vocational  training  for  young 
workers  in  the  Chaco  communities,  the  creation  of  a  technical  unit  for  the  prevention  and 
eradication  of  forced  labour  within  the  Labour  Inspectorate,  and  the  establishment  of  the 
Directorate for Indigenous Labour within the Ministry. However, these measures will need to 
be stepped up in order to curb the problem in the country. 

The 2016-2020 National Strategy for the Prevention of Forced Labour was adopted with the 
participation  of  workers'  and  employers'  organisations  and  in  consultation  with  indigenous 
peoples. Furthermore, Paraguay has requested ILO support for the implementation of some of 
the actions requested, namely workshops to raise awareness on forced labour, proper strategic 
planning  of  activities  for  forced  labour  prevention,  and  the  production  of  an  Intervention 
Guide  for  forced  labour  cases.  In  2016,  the  ILO  pointed  out  that  Paraguay  should  intensify 
efforts to effectively implement the strategy, particularly in regions with weak state presence 

9 

 
 
 
and where forced labour indicators have been identified. This could be achieved by adopting 
regional action plans. Paraguay was also asked to indicate the priority actions of the strategy. 

The  UN  Special  Rapporteur  produced  a  report  on  modern  forms  of  slavery  in  Paraguay  in 
Sept  2018 4.  It  noted  a  number  of  positive  steps  taken  by  government  to  tackle  slavery, 
including  increased  awareness  of  the  issue.  Main  concerns  regarding  slavery  remain  among 
the indigenous communities in the Chaco area, domestic labour and criadazgo. 

Minimum Age for Work and Worst Forms of Child Labour (Conventions 138 
and 182) 

The ILO regularly encourages the Government to intensify its efforts to improve the situation 
regarding  child  labour  in  the  country.  It  asks  Paraguay  to  address  capacities  of  the  labour 
inspection  and  law  enforcement  bodies,  ensure  proper  implementation  of  the  Labour  Code, 
address worst forms of child labour by prosecuting perpetrators, combat the criadazgo system 
and protect street and indigenous children. National Plans for the Prevention and Eradication 
of Child Labour and for the Prevention and Eradication of Sexual Exploitation of Children are 
in place and being implemented. 

There are some improvements registered in recent years concerning child labour. In 2010, the 
percentage of working children between 10 and 14 was 14.4% (23.3% in rural areas, 6.6% in 
urban  areas).  However,  figures  in  2016  showed  a  significant  reduction,  bringing  the 
percentage  of  working  children  between  10  and  14  to  8.1%  (11.3%  in  rural  areas,  5.3%  in 
urban  areas).  Almost  half  of  the  children  work  in  agriculture,  stockbreeding,  hunting  and 
fishing.  The  vast  majority  of  children  and  young  persons  who  are  engaged  in  child  labour 
perform hazardous work (approximately 90.3 % of the 5-13 age group and 91.1 % of the 14-
17 age group). The ILO noted the Government's efforts to increase the school attendance rate 
and to reduce school dropouts, and encouraged the Government to intensify its efforts in this 
respect  to  ensure  that  at  least  all  children  under  14  years  of  age  have  access  to  basic 
compulsory education. 

At the regulatory level, Paraguay has taken a number of steps: a draft law against the worst 
forms of child labour (including criadazgo) is currently under parliamentary scrutiny, as well 
as a draft law to take into account ILO provisions regarding night work by minors. A Protocol 
of Intervention as regards criadazgo cases has been published with ILO support. Workshops 
against  child  labour  and  criadazgo  are  being  organised  in  order  to  familiarise  society,  the 
judiciary and other administrations about the phenomenon and to help preventing it. In April 
2019 the Government adopted a National Strategy to eradicate child work until 2024, with a 
road  map.  This  includes  measures  aimed  at  guaranteeing  minimum  income  for  vulnerable 
families in order to prevent that their children were sent to work. President Abdo has voiced 
his  commitment  to  continuing  to  tackle  child  labour,  though  significant  institutional  and 
cultural  challenges  remain.  in  April  2019  the  Government  adopted  a  National  Strategy  to 
eradicate  child  work  until  2024,  with  a  road  map.  This  includes  measures  aimed  at 
guaranteeing minimum income for vulnerable families in order to prevent that their children 
were sent to work. 

4 https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1443537/1930_1537262179_g1823000.pdf 

10 

 
 
 
                                                 
Areas  of  concern  remain  largely  the  same  as  those  identified  in  the  last  GSP  report.  These 
include:  the  large  number  of  children  and  young  persons  who  are  engaged  in  an  economic 
activity  below  the  minimum  age  for  admission  to  employment  and/or  in  hazardous  work; 
protection  of  street  children;  the  need  to  step  up  investigations  and  effective  prosecution  of 
child trafficking; and strengthening the capacities of law enforcement bodies, particularly the 
police, the justice system and customs officials, in order to improve their capacity to identify 
cases of trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. 

Elimination of Discrimination (Conventions 100 and 111) 

Paraguay has demonstrated efforts towards improvement in the elimination of discrimination, 
particularly  as  regards  occupational  segregation,  one  of  the  largest  sources  of  the  pay  gap 
observed  in  the  country.  One  example  is  the  National  development  plan  2014-2030,  which 
provides for equality between women and men as a cross-cutting issue. Paraguay underlines 
the actions taken by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, in the field of 
gender  equality  such  as  free  legal  advice  for  women;  training  sessions  conducted  in 
coordination  with  the  National  Vocational  Promotion  Service  and  the  National  System  of 
Education  and  Training  Labour;  awareness  campaigns  to  promote  equal  work  opportunities 
and treatment for men and women; and protection of the right to breast feed. There have also 
been  advances  in  legislation  in  terms  of  paid  maternity  and  paternity  leave,  including  by 
providing cash benefits  to  women, who were previously  only  afforded medical  attention.  In 
relation  to  actions  against  discrimination,  Paraguay  has  approved  a  National  Plan  for  the 
Rights of People with Disabilities (2015-2030). Another example is the National development 
plan 2014-2030, which provides for equality between women and men as a crosscutting issue.  

Conclusions and priorities 

There  has  been  some  progress  in  the  implementation  of  the  fundamental  ILO  conventions. 
However,  the  administrative  structures  are  still  weak  and  awareness  among  the  population 
and  social  and  economic  actors  on  labour  rights  is  limited.  Moreover,  Paraguay  does  not 
engage sufficiently with social partners. Sustained efforts in the long term will be necessary to 
achieve concrete results in the effective implementation of the fundamental ILO conventions. 

Shortcomings  have  been  identified  in  terms  of  legislative  alignment  and  enforcement,  in 
particular  in  the  areas  of  discrimination  in  employment,  minimum  age  for  work,  and  worst 
forms of child labour. Paraguay is progressively taking into account ILO recommendations, 
in  particular  with  regard  to  actual  implementation  and  results.  The  elimination  of  child 
labour, the combat against trafficking in human beings, and equal labour conditions for men 
and women are issues that require further attention. 

Paraguay does not have a general strategy to ensure an effective implementation of the ILO 
fundamental conventions, but  is  developing a series of  measures and tools to  do so. Among 
them are the National Plan for Prevention and Eradication of Child Labour and Protection of 
Adolescents' Work; the National Plan for Prevention and Eradication of Sexual Exploitation 
of  Children  and  Adolescents;  the  Strategy  for  the  Prevention  of  Forced  Labour;  and  the 
National  Policy  to  Prevent  and  Combat  Trafficking  in  Human  Beings.  These  measures  are 
expected  to  contribute  to  improved  implementation  and  concrete  progress.  The  2016-2020 
National  Strategy  for  the  Prevention  of  Forced  Labour  was  adopted  and  implementation 
11 

 
 
 
should be followed-up. 

4.3  UN  Conventions  on  Environmental  Protection  and  Climate 

Change  

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and 
Fauna (CITES) 

As  mentioned  in  the  2018  GSP  report,  Paraguay  has  achieved  Category  1  status.5 Paraguay 
strengthened its legislation according to CITES recommendations, including the penalisation 
and  confiscation  provisions,  and  now  meets  all  requirements  for  the  implementation  of  the 
convention. 

Nonetheless,  Paraguay's  resources to  respond to  the reporting demands remain very limited. 
In  particular,  Paraguay  is  expected  to  present  documentation  about  the  protection  of  palo 
santo  trees  in  the  Chaco  before  September  2019.  It  continues  to  underline  that,  under  the 
present circumstances, the control and supervision of CITES implementation on the ground is 
its  first  priority.  Consequently,  it  submitted  the  annual  reports  for  2014  in  2015,  but  the 
biennial report for 2013-2014 and the implementation report for 2015-2017 are still due. 

Basel Convention 

Paraguay is not yet fully compliant with the reporting requirements of the Basel Convention. 
It  argues  that  this  is  due  to  limited  human  resources,  but  assures  that  reporting  will  be 
gradually  fulfilled.  The  latest  report  submitted  was  from  2015.  On  implementation,  little 
information was available. 

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 

Over the years, both the economic structure (livestock and agriculture) and the energy matrix 
have  had  a  considerable  impact  on  the  country's  forests  (high  deforestation  rate).  Wetlands, 
which  cover  between  15%  and  20%  of  the  country's  surface,  remain  areas  particularly 
vulnerable  to  exploitation.  After  drainage,  they  become  adequate  areas  for  economic 
activities. This has significantly harmed the country's biological diversity. National budgetary 
allocations for the management of protected wilderness areas have declined. Biodiversity loss 
is thus still a fact and concrete measures to implement the convention remain necessary. 

In 2016, Paraguay submitted the 5th national report as well as a revised National Biodiversity 
Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). 

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 

Paraguay submitted the 3rd national report in 2016. Paraguay submitted its updated National 
Plan for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on 12 July 2018.  

5 Category 1: legislation that is believed generally to meet all requirements for effective implementation of 
CITES. Source: https://cites.org/eng/legislation/National_Legislation_Project 

12 

 
 
 
                                                 
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety 

Paraguay  ratified  the  Cartagena  Protocol  on  Biosafety  in  2004.  It  submitted  its  2nd  national 
report due in 2011. The 3rd National Report, providing data on the current situation regarding 
the implementation of the Protocol, was submitted in December 2016.  

Conventions on Climate Change 

Paraguay is party to all climate change-related conventions, and has no salient shortcomings. 

As for the Montreal Protocol, Paraguay is up to date regarding reporting requirements. It has 
ensured  the  annual  submission  of  statistical  data  on  the  production,  import  and  export  of 
controlled  ozone  depleting  substances  (ODS).  It  has  also  ensured  the  annual  submission  of 
statistical data on the production, imports, exports and consumption by sector of all controlled 
substances.  The  latest  reports  have  been  submitted  in  February  2017.  However,  no 
information has been provided on national action plans. Details on the implementation of the 
Protocol are lacking as well. 

Paraguay submitted its third National Communication to the UN Framework Convention on 
Climate  Change  (UNFCCC)  in  September  2017  and  its  first  Biennial  Update  Report  in 
December 2015. The National Strategy for Reducing Emissions from deforestation and forest 
degradation  was  most  recently  updated  in  May  2019.  Paraguay’s  National  Adaptation 
Strategy and Action Plan is still in preparation. The priority sectors in the National Adaptation 
Strategy  and Action Plan are water  resources,  forests, agricultural  and livestock production, 
land management, energy, infrastructure, health and sanitation, risk management, and natural 
disasters and early warning systems. 

Paraguay submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the UNFCCC 
Secretariat  on  1October  2015,  and  its  first  NDC  and  vision  for  2030  on  14  Oct.  2016. 
Paraguay's NDC envisages 20% of emission reduction by 2030 (unilateral target of 10% and 
conditional  target  of  10%  as  well).  The  NDC  focuses  on  land  use  change,  reduction  of 
biomass  as  energy  source  for  agricultural  production,  improvements  in  transportation, 
limitations placed on the import of used cars, and how to  take further advantage of the fact 
that clean energy from hydro-electrical sources is plentiful in the country. 

In 2018, the Technical Secretariat of Environment was upgraded to Ministry of Environment 
and Sustainable Development. 

Conclusions 

Deforestation,  water  pollution,  waste  disposal,  and  loss  of  wetlands  are  key  environmental 
challenges  that  the  country  is  facing.  Furthermore,  Paraguay  needs  to  provide  information 
about  how  it  intends  to  improve  reporting  and  implement  its  obligations  under  the 
conventions on environmental protection. This requires both institutional strengthening and a 
medium  to  long  term  strategy  for  addressing  environment  issues,  clearly  detailing  the  steps 
towards the conventions' proper implementation.On Climate Change, the National Adaptation 
Strategy needs to  be finalised. Clear steps for  the implementation  of  the actions outlined in 
Paraguay’s NDC should also be enumerated, enacted, and implemented. 

13 

 
 
 
4.4  UN Conventions on Good Governance  

International Drug Control Conventions 

Paraguay  is  South  America's  main  cannabis  producer  and  an  important  transit  country  for 
cannabis and Andean cocaine. The main shortcoming identified by the International Narcotics 
Control  Board  (INCB)  has  been  the  need  to  address  illicit  cannabis  cultivation,  as  well  as 
cannabis and cocaine cross-border trafficking. 

Indeed,  Paraguay  remains  the  main  source  of  illicitly  produced  cannabis  in  South  America. 
According  to  the  Paraguayan  National  Anti-Drug  Secretariat  (SENAD),  80%  of  the  illicitly 
produced cannabis is smuggled into Brazil and there is a constant flow of drugs to Argentina, 
Plurinational State of Bolivia, Chile, and Uruguay. SENAD reported the eradication of 1,456 
ha.  of  cannabis  crops  in  2017,  1,298  ha.  in  2016  and  1,995  ha.  in  2015,  and  an  increase  in 
cannabis seizures from 276.379 t in 2016 to 1,070.9 t in 20176. 

On 9 January 2018, the President of Paraguay enacted a law to regulate the legal framework 
governing  the  production  and  use  of  cannabis  and  its  derivatives  for  medical  and  scientific 
purposes.  On  26  June  2018,  the  Government  of  Paraguay  presented  its  National  Policy  on 
Drugs for the period 2017-2022. It contains policy and strategic guidelines and an action plan 
for the reduction of demand and supply.  

Since  2018,  confiscations  of  cocaine,  discoveries  of  laboratories,  and  understanding  and 
institutional  support  for  demand  reduction  has  significantly  increased.  Paraguay  is  taking 
measures to enhance its capacities to treat drug dependence and to make rehabilitation centres 
available. 

The cooperation between the EU, Latin America and Caribbean countries, including through 
cooperation programmes such as COPOLAD, working on Drug policy, has contributed to the 
improvement of Paraguay's policies on drugs. The exchange of best practices and experiences, 
increased  bi-regional  coordination  and  the  promotion  of  multi-sectorial,  comprehensive  and 
coordinated responses have been particularly useful. 

International  cooperation  has  also  encouraged  improved  coordination  and  dialogue  between 
the  country's  various  institutions,  and  better  identification  of  the  priorities.  In  this  context, 
Paraguay  is  implementing  its  National  Integrated  Plan  (NIP)  seeking  to  develop  a  cross- 
cutting  approach  among  the  various  institutions  responsible  for  organised  crime,  illicit 
trafficking, and drug demand reduction and treatment. 

Despite Paraguay's improved efforts, the drug issue remains a serious problem in the country. 
The drug business continues to permeate the State institutions and to contaminate politics and 
the  economy,  including  political  party  financing.  It  may  become  a  serious  threat  for  the 
stability and the sound social and economic development of the country. 

6 Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2018; World Drug Report 2019, UNODC. 

14 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) 

Paraguay  has  struggled  to  fight  systemic  corruption  in  all  sectors  of  the  Government.  The 
executive  summary  of  the  latest  UNCAC  Implementation  Review,  publicly  available  since 
September  2014,  identifies  various  shortcomings.  Neither  active  nor  passive  bribery  of 
foreign  public  officials  and  officials  of  public  international  organisations  are  criminalised. 
The same was found as regards bribery in the private sector and abuse of functions. UNCAC 
also  identified  the  lack  of  independence  and  clear  roles  of  institutions,  the  lack  of  an  anti- 
corruption strategy, and the need for training and increased cooperation with civil society as 
issues  to  be  addressed.  So  far,  limited  progress  has  been  made  as  regards  these  specific 
recommendations. 

in 

Since 2018, the Government has been taking measures 
to  improve  governance  and  corruption  and  organised 
crime.  In  particular,  a  package  of  legislation  to  fight 
the 
laundering  has  been  discussed 
money 
Parliament,  coinciding  with  a  critical  2019  Financial 
Action Task Force of Latin America (GAFILAT) peer 
review  of  Paraguay.  Public  institutions  continue  to 
publish  a  list  of  their  employees  and  their  salaries. 
Public Information Offices have been established in a 
number  of  central  institutions,  although  progress  is 
lacking  at  departmental  and  local  levels.  Ministries 
have  been  compelled  to  publish  tenders  for  public 
procurement  online  and  the  Ministry  of  Finance 
ensures regular reports on the execution of the budget. 

The  Europe  Latin  America 
Assistance  Program  Against 
Transnational 
Organized 
Crime  (EL  PAcCTO)  is  a  joint 
initiative  of  the  European  Union 
and  Latin  American  countries.  It 
provides  technical  assistance  and 
exchange of best practices also in 
the  area  of  organised  crime, 
including  drug  trafficking.  In  the 
last 
years  Paraguayan 
institutions  are  becoming  one  of 
the  most  active  beneficiaries  of 
the program. 

two 

Regulations  on  the  protection  of  whistle  blowers,  witnesses,  and  victims  have  not  been 
reviewed and no programmes to ensure effective protection measures have been developed. A 
regulatory  practice  striking  a  balance  between  privileges  or  immunities  and  the  ability  to 
investigate effectively needs to be implemented. 

The  lack  of  independence  and  the  poor  definition  of  the  institutions'  roles  remain  an  issue. 
There  is  room  for  improvement  regarding  training  and  cooperation  with  civil  society  in 
relation  to  anticorruption.  No  specific  legislation  on  extradition  and  mutual  legal  assistance 
has been enacted and deadlines to facilitate extradition have not been shortened. 

Since  mid-2018,  a  group  called  Comissión  de  escraches  ciudadanos  has  achieved  what  the 
justice  system  was  unable  to  deliver  until  then:  their  protests  in  front  of  residences  of 
allegedly  corrupt  politicians  have  led  to  resignations  and,  more  importantly,  successful 
impeachment  procedures.  Out  of  45  Senators  and  80  Deputies  elected  in  2018,  to  date  five 
lost their seat or resigned, and a number are on trial or under investigation for various forms 
of  corrupt  practices.  In  addition,  the  former  State  Prosecutor  is  under  house  arrest  and  the 
former  State  Audit  Officer  is  awaiting  trial.  President  Abdo  adopted  a  commendable  caiga 
quien  caiga  (“no  matter  who  falls”)  approach,  allowing  prosecutors  to  carry  out  their  work 
more  independently.  However,  institutions  composed  of  politicians  sanctioning  the  work  of 
judges continue to exist. 

15 

 
 
 
 
Although  corruption  remains  a  serious  concern  with  important  shortcomings,  it  is  worth 
noting that international indexes on perception of corruption are slowly improving. According 
to the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International, Paraguay is 
now the 132nd least corrupt nation out of 175 countries. 

Conclusions 

Paraguay is South America's main cannabis producer and a transit country for cannabis and 
Andean  cocaine.  As  a  result,  Paraguay  faces  various  challenges  in  its  efforts  to  reduce 
narcotics  trafficking  and  production.  Paraguay  has  continued  implementing  measures  to 
tackle drug-related concerns in the country (cannabis production, trafficking of cannabis and 
cocaine,  increasing  drug-consumption,  limitations  as  regards  rehabilitation  of  drug  users) 
but more determination, additional resources, and significant institutional strengthening are 
needed. The proper implementation of the National Integrated Plan to tackle illegal drugs has 
to be ensured. 

The last years  have seen a  rise of  laws and institutions  aimed at  fighting corruption.  These 
initiatives have been praised internationally. Actions to increase transparency and to uncover 
corruption cases are encouraging. Public awareness has increased, access to information on 
the use of  public money  has  improved and a significant number of  corruption  activities are 
now  publicly  criticised.  However,  efforts  need  to  be  sustained  over  time  and  reinforced, 
through  the  progressive  implementation  of  the  UNCAC  recommendations  and  by  actual 
prosecution of corruption-related crimes. 

16 

 
 
 
ANNEX 

Paraguay – Treaty Ratification and Reporting  

Convention 

Status of ratification / 
reservations7 

Compliance with reporting obligations to monitoring bodies 

1. Convention on the Prevention and 
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide 

Ratified: 14.06.2005 

No reporting obligations 

No reservations 

2. International Convention on the 
Elimination of All Forms of Racial 
Discrimination 

Ratified: 18.08.2003 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Last report submitted on 20.10.2015. 

Last concluding observations published 09.08.2016. 

Latest report was due on 17.09.2018.  

3. International Covenant on Civil and 
Political Rights 

Ratified: 10.06.1992 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Last report submitted on 07.11.2018.  

Last concluding observations published 20.08.2019. 

4. International Covenant on 
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 

Ratified: 10.06.1992 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Last report submitted on 06.10.2011.  

Last concluding observations published on 19.03.2015. 

Next report due on 30.03.2020. 

5. Convention on the Elimination of 
All Forms of Discrimination against 
Women 

Ratified: 06.05.1987 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Last report submitted on 12.11.2015.  

Last concluding observations published 22.11.2017. 

Next report due on 30.11.2021.  

6. Convention against Torture and 
other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading 
Treatment or Punishment 

Ratified: 12.03.1990 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

No reservations  

Last report submitted on 19.01.2016. 

Last concluding observations published on 11.08.2017. 

Latest follow up state party report was due 11.08.2018.  

Next regular report due 11.08.2021.  

7. Convention on the Rights of the 
Child 

Ratified: 25.09.1990 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Last report submitted on 05.03.2018.  

8. Convention concerning Forced or 
Compulsory Labour, No. 29 

Ratification: 1967 

Compliant with reporting obligations  

Latest CEACR comments: Observation 2016; Direct Request 2016. 

Last concluding observations published on 10.02.2010. 

7 Reservations do not apply in the ILO system, so there is no relevance to providing information on reservations under each 
of these conventions. 

17 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
9. Convention concerning Freedom of 
Association and Protection of the 
Right to Organise, No. 87 

10. Convention concerning the 
Application of the Principles of the 
Right to Organise and to Bargain 
Collectively, No. 98 

11. Convention concerning Equal 
Remuneration of Men and Women 
Workers for Work of Equal Value, 
No. 100 

Last report received in 2019.  

Next report due in 2022. 

Ratification: 1962 

Compliant with reporting obligations  

Latest CEACR comments: Observation 2018. 

Last report received 2018.  

Next report due in 2021.  

Ratification: 1966 

Compliant with reporting obligations  

Latest CEACR comments: Observation 2018. 

Last report received 2018.  

Next report due in 2021.  

Ratification: 1964 

Compliant with reporting obligations  

Latest CEACR comments: Direct Request 2018. 

Next report due in 2020.  

12. Convention concerning the 
Abolition of Forced Labour, No. 105 

Ratification: 1968 

Compliant with reporting obligations  

Latest CEACR comments: Direct Request 2007. 

13. Convention concerning 
Discrimination in Respect of 
Employment and Occupation, No. 111 

Ratification: 1967 

Last regular report received in 2019.  

Next regular report due in 2022. 

Compliant with reporting obligations  

Latest CEACR comments: Direct Request 2018. 

Next report due in 2020.  

14. Convention concerning Minimum 
Age for Admission to Employment, 
No. 138 

Ratification: 2004  

Compliant with reporting obligations  

Minimum age specified: 
14 years 

Latest CEACR comments: Observation 2016; Direct Request 2016. 

Last report received in 2019. 

Next report due in 2022.  

15. Convention concerning Minimum 
Age for Admission to Employment, 
No. 182 

Ratification: 2001 

Compliant with reporting obligations  

Latest CEACR comments: Observation 2016; Direct Request 2016. 

Last report received in 2019. 

Next report due in 2022. 

16. CITES 

Ratification: 15.11.1976 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations  

No reservations 

Last Annual Report (2017) submitted on 11.06.2019. 

Next (2018) Annual Report due 31.10.2019.  

Last Biennial report (2011-2012) submitted 04.06.2015.  

Biennial Report for 2013-14, and Implementation Report 2015-2017 are due2. 

Annual Illegal Trade Report 2017 due2.  

17. Montreal Protocol 

Accession: 03.12.1992 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Most recent data for 2016 was submitted. 

18 

 
 
 
 
18. Basel Convention 

Ratification: 28.09.1995 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

No more recent reporting data is available. 

No reservations 

Last Annual Report (2017) submitted on 04.12.2018. 

Next (2018) Annual National Report due in 2019.   

Annual Reports for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013 due. 

19. Convention on Biological 
Diversity 

Ratification: 24.02.1994  

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Last (Sixth) National Report published on 28.12.2018.  

First (1998), Third (2006), Fourth (2010) National Reports are due.  

Revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) submitted on 
22.11.2016. 

20. UN Framework Convention on 
Climate Change 

Ratification: 
1994 

February 

Compliant with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Last (second) Biennial Update Report submitted on 27.12.2018. 

Last (Third) National Communication submitted on 15.09.2017.  

21. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety  Ratification: 10.03.2004 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

No reservations 

Last (Third) National Report submitted on 14.12.2016. 

22. Stockholm Convention 

Ratification: 01.04.2004 

Lack of compliance with reporting obligations 

Next (Fourth) National report due on 01.09.2019.  

Interim National Report (2005) and First National Report (2007) are due.  

No reservations 

Last (Third) National Report submitted on 01.05.2016.  

Latest (Fourth) National report was due on 31.08.2018. 

First (2006) National Report was due 31.07.2007. 

23. Kyoto Protocol 

Ratification: 27.08.1999 

No reporting obligations 

No reservations 

24. UN Single Convention on 
Narcotic Drugs 

25. UN Convention on Psychotropic 
Substances 

Ratification: 03.02.1972 

Reviewing is fulfilled by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). 

No reservations 

Ratification: 03.02.1972 

No reservations 

INCB mission took place 3-7 Dec. 2018.  

See report of the INCB for 2018.  

26. UN Convention against Illicit 
Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and 
Psychotropic Substances 

Ratification: 23.08.1990 

No reservations 

27. UN Convention against 
Corruption 

Ratification: 01.06.2005  Reviewing is fulfilled by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).  

The Executive Summary of the 2014 review has been published. 

19