The Yakye Axa and Sawhoyamaxa Indigenous Communities have been displaced from their traditional lands. They are unable to source water and food for themselves and are not provided with adequate health and education services.

“In these conditions, the very survival of the Yakye Axa and Sawhoyamaxa is at risk,” said Louise Finer, Paraguay researcher at Amnesty International. “But the government has the power to show its commitment to Indigenous Peoples’ rights by fully complying with the Court's rulings. These two communities have waited long enough.”

The Court set a deadline of 13 July 2008 and 19 May 2009 respectively for the restitution of their traditional lands. The Court also ordered that the Paraguayan state must provide the communities with basic services – such as sanitation, medical care, food and water.

Some action has been taken by President Fernando Lugo, but much more needs to be done, and much faster,” said Louise Finer. “The clock is ticking fast for the Yakye Axa and Sawhoyamaxa and unless their lands are returned and funds are made available for their development, more lives could be lost."

Related web sites: Escr-Net: Case of the Indigenous Community Yakye Axa v. Paraguay ; Amnesty International, Paraguay,

Source: Amnesty International, 31 Mar 2009

Tags: governance, latin america & caribbean, policies & legislation, water supply