Paraguay: help for farmers detained in Ciudad del Este

11-11-2008 News release 08/205

Buenos Aires (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross today delivered aid to 70 farmers held at Ciudad del Este regional prison in Alto Paraná department. Another 700 inmates also benefited from the delivery.

The 70 farmers had been arrested in recent weeks during police evictions from occupied land.

“We know that the number of inmates substantially exceeds the capacity of this prison and we are worried about hygiene,” stated ICRC delegate Sophie Graven. “The authorities have said that they welcome our assistance.”

Working with the Paraguayan Red Cross, the ICRC delivered blankets and hygiene articles to the 70 farmers still held at the prison. In addition, all inmates of the prison received items to help improve hygiene, such as buckets and disinfectant.

Following an evaluation of health in the Paraguayan prison system, conducted jointly with the authorities concerned, the ICRC has been promoting prison health in the country since 2007.

For further information, please contact:
Lucía Corte, ICRC Buenos Aires, tel: +54 11 45 15 11 18 or +54 9 11 6254 53 58