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For more information, contact: Lisa
Sullivan
SOA
WATCH DELEGATION TO PARAGUAY
April 16-24, 2013
Delegation Fee: $1250
Optional: Travel to Iguazu
Falls and Itaipu hydroelectric dam April 24,25:
$200 extra
 Paraguay
has been a lightening rod within South American
politics over the past months, since the right-wing
congress used a bloody confrontation between
landless peasants and police forces as a pretext
for removing President Fernando Lugo last June.
Lugo, an ex-bishop inspired by liberation
theology, ran on a platform of agrarian reform and
justice and accountability for past human rights
violations. His 2008 victory ended the 61-year
rule of Stroessner’s Colorado Party. The
“express coup” was condemned throughout the
region, and Paraguay was removed from UNASUR and
Mercosur by fellow Latin American governments.
Presidential elections have been
scheduled for April 21, 2013, and the current
regime hopes that these elections will
legitimize their dominance and bring the nation back
into the fold of several international
organizations from which it has been excluded.
All eyes will be on Paraguay that day, and an
international presence is essential.
Focus of the delegation
1. Observation of Presidential
Elections
Participants on the delegation
will do informal observation of these elections
that will be held on April 21st, in the hopes of
sharing with the larger international solidarity
community about the process and outcome.
2. Situation of human rights
in Paraguay
· Land reform issues
The group will visit the site of
the June 15 massacre at Curuguaty where 11
peasants and 6 policemen died, triggering the
impeachment of former Paraguayan President
Fernando. Congress demanded that Lugo
immediately resign or face impeachment over his
handling of the crisis, in spite of the fact
that many of the legislators were the very same
ones who for decades had promulgated the theftof
millions of acres of land that they distributed
within their own party during the Stroessner
regime.
· Criminalization of
social protest
· Archives of Terror. This
is the 20th anniversary of the discovery of
these hidden archives, that detail the killing
and disappearance of thousands of political
prisoners during the Stroessner regime, and which trace
the creation of Operation Condor, a secret plan
among 6 South American countries to crush left
wing political dissent. We will visit the Museo
de la Memoria, a “recuperated” complex which had
been a well-known torture center, and is now a
research and education center.
3. Cultural events and
traditional crafts.
Paraguay is famous for choral groups since the
Jesuit missions were established 5 centuries
ago. Also, Paraguayan artesania is unique and
beautiful, especially the intricate delicate lace weavings,
and colorful cotton hammocks and blankets.
4. Optional
additional 2 -day visit to Iguazu Falls and
Itaipu hydroelectric dam (April 24, 25, extra
$200 fee)
·
Housing
Participants will be lodged in a
modest but comfortable hotels. There will be two
people per room. The additional fee for a single
room is $300.
Language and translation
All activities will be translated
into Spanish and it is not necessary to have a
knowledge of Spanish to participate.
Travel
All participants must arrange
their own travel to and from Asuncion, Paraguay.
Please do not purchase tickets until we
notify you of your acceptance. Delegates
should plan on arriving any time on April 16 and
leaving any time on April 24th. For those
who opt to visit Iguazu Falls (for an additional
$200), they should plan on returning to the U.S.
on April 26th. Each participant will be met at
the airport and also taken back to the airport
for their return flight. In-country travel will
be arranged and provided by the delegation
Required documents
· Passport
that is valid for at least 6 months from the
time of entrance to Paraguay.
· A
tourist visa which must be purchased at the
airport upon arrival to Paraguay. The cost is
$160 and must be paid in cash
Vaccines
No vaccines are required for Paraguay, but we
recommend that you consult the recommendation of
the CDC.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/paraguay.htm
Application process:
The delegation has a limited
number of spaces,so we encourage you to send the
application soon if you are interested, as
delegates are accepted on a rolling basis
.
Download and fill out the application, and
then send it either
· by
email to: [email protected],
or
· by
regular mail to
Mary Anne Perrone
1120 Brooks St.
Ann Arbor,
MI 48103
After we notify you of your
application of your acceptance, we will ask that
you send Mary Anne a
copy of your passport.
PARAGUAY.DELEGATION.APPLICATION
Delegation Fee
The delegation fee of $1250
covers all meals, lodging (double occupancy),
travel within the country and translation. It
does not cover travel to and from Asuncion. An
additional $300 can be paid for those wanting a
single room.
Payment
· Deposit of $200
Once you are notified of your
acceptance, we require
a non-refundable $200 deposit to reserve your
spot. Please send a check made out to SOA WATCH
to:
Mary Anne Perrone
1120 Brooks St.
Ann Arbor,
MI 48103
· Remaining payment of
$1050
This payment is due by March 25,
2013. Please send a check to SOA WATCH to
Mary Anne Perrone
1120 Brooks St.
Ann Arbor,
MI 48103
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