Delegation from the Republic of Paraguay
Position Paper for the General Assembly Third Committee
The Republic of Paraguay embraces the two topics bestowed upon the General Assembly’s Third
Committee. The promotion and protection of the rights of children in conflict and the prevention of violence
and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity are substantial matters of actuality and
both of great concern for the Republic of Paraguay. Paraguay looks forward to collaborating with fellow
Member States to elaborate sustainable and comprehensive resolutions for the best interest of children
worldwide and for future generations.
I. Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children in Conflict
Children’s rights are amongst the first to be violated when conflict erupts. The Convention on the Rights of
the Child (1989)(CRC) further stated the explicit vulnerability of children towards conflict as they are still in
the midst of their physical, mental, and cognitive development. Hence, the 1.6 billion children currently
living in conflict settings will be irreversibly impacted by the violence they experience, the scars of their
youth undeniably affecting the adult citizens they will eventually become. Conflicts additionally bring the
risk of child soldiers' recruitment, which violates the Rights of Children on all levels and is the first grave
offense affecting children amongst the six stated by the Mandate of the United Nations Special
Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG CAAC). Over 105,000
children were recruited in conflicts worldwide between 2005 and 2022 (UNICEF). The urgency of the
situation could not be further emphasized. Furthermore, the protection of the Rights of Children is
intrinsically linked to the achievement of multiple goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,
like the establishment of health and well-being for the population (SDG 3).
The Republic of Paraguay is honored to partake in such a vital debate as this one to guarantee the security
of children and the protection of their rights in conflict settings. Since Paraguay’s signature and ratification
of the CRC in 1990, multiple gains have been made nationally towards achieving a more thorough
protection of children’s rights. The National Secretariat for Children and Adolescents (SNNA) was created
in 2001. This institution has since led innovative advancements within the national legal system. Hence,
the national, departmental, and municipal councils for Children and Adolescents were established under
the SNNA’s authority. Additionally, government agents received training to react accordingly when
presented with cases of violence against children. In 2008, accountability reports were introduced to
assess the efficiency of programs enforcing children’s rights in the country. Additionally, Paraguay wishes
to remind all fellow Member States of the importance of prioritizing children’s voices and providing them
with a platform to express their opinions about policies made in their name. Hence, the SNNA created the
Department of Active Participation, to further encourage children to partake in active discussions about the
protection and enforcement of their rights. This initiative made Paraguay the first country in Latin America
with a developed national policy directly encouraging youth political engagement. In 2022, the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights office (OHCHR) induced similar initiatives by creating a
generalized Youth Rights Advocacy toolkit. It was the product of six online consultations with youth activists
around the globe. This resource was built primarily to facilitate the political engagement of young people
within their communities and help them navigate the complexities of the International legal system.
Multiple resolutions and declarations have previously been drafted by this General Assembly and other
United Nations bodies to frame the universal rights of children, such as the CRC. However, the Republic
of Paraguay thoroughly believes youth advocacy must be given a louder voice in national and international
discussions over the protection of children’s rights. Indeed, the enforcement of adequate national policies
and programs can only be efficient if they address the true needs of children presently living in conflict
settings or healing from previous war trauma. Paraguay therefore proposes the development of a National
Youth Political Engagement Model to encourage fellow Member States to incorporate youth-inclusive
policies within their national political framework. Firstly, this model would strongly support the creation of
national and regional Youth advisory boards and strongly encourage Member States to collaborate with
NGOs already working with local communities in conflict settings and supporting youth-led initiatives. Their
approach is tailored to the specific reality of children experiencing violence or being rehabilitated into a
civilian lifestyle following war-based trauma. One of the model’s main axes will center around the
development of a consultation process by youth advisory committees to accentuate the efficiency of
governmental policies and aid programs enforcing children’s rights. Secondly, another target of the model
will be to support youth advocacy in refugee settings. Nowadays, 42 percent of the world’s refugees are
children (UNHCR), most of whom have been displaced by conflict and harbor deep psychological and
physical trauma due to the violence they experienced as refugees. Member states that would apply the
premise of the National Youth Political Engagement Model in the development of national policies and aid
projects will receive additional subventions from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The
Republic of Paraguay strongly believes sustainable change will be brought forth by this inclusive model.
II.
Preventing Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
In today's world, the issue of LGBTQIA+ rights remains a controversial topic. While some countries have
made progress, others still face challenges. According to the United Nations, in 2022, 67 countries
criminalize same-sex relationships, with punishments ranging from imprisonment in 60 of them to the death
penalty in 7 others. These alarming facts shed light on the prejudice, exclusion, and acts of violence that
the LGBTQIA+ community endures worldwide. These global trends are particularly resonant in regions like
Latin America. Although Paraguay has ratified human rights treaties such as the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), there is still a disparity in
protecting and accepting LGBTQIA+ individuals within the country. Irrespective of orientation or gender
identity, it is essential for Paraguay to continue striving for inclusivity and upholding rights, for all its citizens.
On the international stage, despite being excluded from significant documents such as the UN Charter, the
UDHR, and the UN Millennium Development Goals, there has been noticeable progress in recognizing
LGBTQIA+ rights worldwide. The UDHR implicitly supports LGBTQIA+ rights by advocating for equality
and safeguarding against interference. In line with this perspective, the UN Human Rights Committee
affirmed this stance in its 1994 ruling on Toonen, v. Australia, stating that laws criminalizing same-sex
relationships violated human rights laws. The issue of LGBTQIA+ rights has been actively addressed by
the Human Rights Council, most notably through resolutions calling for the establishment of an
Independent Expert to monitor and report on these matters, as well as research and reports on violence
and discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community. These efforts are echoed in regional initiatives
including the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which Paraguay is part of, emphasizing the
need to align national policies with human rights standards, encompassing those related to sexual
orientation and gender identity. A rising consensus on the need for true inclusion and equality is reflected
in global frameworks like the Yogyakarta Principles and heightened awareness of LGBTQIA+ rights within
organizations such as the European Union. In order to guarantee that the values of equality and dignity for
everyone, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity, are not only acknowledged but actively
applied globally, it is imperative that this transition from policy to practice occurs.
The Republic of Paraguay aims to adopt a resolution that addresses the needs and rights of LGBTQIA+
individuals. To address these concerns effectively there is a need for increased data collection through
expert investigations. The ultimate goal is to develop evidence-based policies that prevent violence and
discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. It should prioritize raising awareness
about the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ people in conflict to combat prejudice and violence
associated with them. Furthermore, the resolution should propose actions to ensure access to justice
and promote economic and political equality for LGBTQIA+ individuals as part of an Equality Access
Program (EAP). Acknowledging the risks LGBTQIA+ people face in healthcare settings, the resolution
highlights the importance of combating discrimination to address issues such as STIs, and sexual or
gender-based violence as part of a Healthcare Equality Initiative (HEI). Reflecting on our home nation's
stance, which has decriminalized same-sex relationships since 1880, our resolution would resonate
with nations that have shown a willingness to protect the rights of their LGBTQIA+ citizens. While the
Republic of Paraguay might not support granting new rights not yet recognized within its jurisdiction,
such as marriage equality, it would advocate for a resolution that asks all nations to respect the existing
rights of LGBT people as per the UDHR. This action would be a continuation of the UN's commitment
to upholding the innate value of all human beings, expanding its focus to include sexual orientation and
gender identity. Secondly, Paraguay proposes the establishment of yearly conferences as a novel
approach to fostering ongoing international discussions and collaboration on LGBTQIA+ matters
through an Annual Inclusion Summit (AIS) which would act as a catalyst for fostering ongoing
international collaboration on LGBTQIA+ matters. These conferences would serve as a platform for
promoting evidence-based policies and encouraging cooperation among nations. By reaffirming the
principles of equality and non-discrimination, the international community demonstrates its dedication
to inclusivity and respect, aligning with the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.