Paraguay’s Impunity Crisis: Lack of Diligent Investigations Fosters Sense of Impunity

Paraguay has been ranked among the countries with very high impunity by the Global Impunity Index, with a score of 53.15/100. This sense of lawlessness has taken hold, with cases of major public corruption going unpunished and unchecked.

Contributing Factors

The country’s lack of regulatory development on conflicts of interest in the private sector and revolving doors has contributed to this culture of impunity. The creation of an administrative registry of legal persons and structures, as well as a registry of beneficial owners, aimed at promoting transparency and combating corruption, has not been accompanied by effective enforcement.

Additionally, Paraguay also ranks among the countries with the highest exposure to money laundering in the region, despite recent regulatory changes. The lack of coordination between judicial authorities and insufficient clarity about the mandate of certain public institutions has resulted in a partial response to organized crime.

Asset Recovery Policy

The asset recovery policy in Paraguay is not aimed at repairing social damage, but rather focuses on using asset forfeiture in criminal cases without considering its impact on victims. A culture change is needed among justice operators to prioritize investigations into assets alongside those focused on attributing criminal responsibilities.

Recommendations for Reform

To address these issues, Semillas para la Democracia has made several key recommendations:

• Ensure Active Participation of Civil Society: Encourage civil society involvement in the fight against corruption
• Reduce Bureaucratization and Improve Data Transparency: Simplify public services and increase transparency in data sharing
• Criminalize Abuse of Functions and Money Laundering: Make abuse of functions and money laundering underlying offenses
• Make Public Sworn Assets Declarations: Require obligated objects and suppliers of the State to declare their assets publicly
• Approve a Draft Law on Integrity and Prevention of Conflicts of Interest: Legislate measures to prevent conflicts of interest in public office
• Prohibit Cash Contributions and Distribution of Gifts in Electoral Campaigns: Make cash contributions and distribution of gifts illegal in electoral campaigns
• Protect Whistleblowers: Establish accessible and anonymous reporting mechanisms for whistleblowers
• Strengthen Investigative Bodies and Coordination Mechanisms: Enhance investigative bodies and coordination between state agencies
• Promote Prevention Programs against Corrupt Practices in the Private Sector: Implement programs to prevent corrupt practices in the private sector

Conclusion

The time has come for Paraguay to take concrete steps towards reforming its justice system, promoting respect for human rights, and rejecting tolerance of crime. The implementation of these recommendations is crucial to combating corruption and restoring trust in government institutions.