In Paraguay, violent repression results in the death of a homeless comrade and the arrest of 40
The government's heavy-handed repression by the police, in response to the social struggles in our town, has cost the life of a second victim. He is comrade Gerardo Carballo, a homeless person, who died as a result of of the merciless “blows and fractures sustained from being knocked down by the troops of the Mounted Police” (La Nación Digital, 15-11-08) during a brutal repression and eviction of over 653 families from the neighbourhood of Pa'i Ñu, in Ñemby on Wednesday, November 14th.
The legitimate defence of the Curupayty settlement, one of the 6 settlements in the neighbourhood facing the subjugation of the repressive force, was quickly reduced by the action of an over 400 -man police force, among them, the riot police and the mounted police force. Using truncheons, tear gas, and rubber bullets, they ran over the humble homeless people, and they later detained 40 people, among them the leader, Gilberto Cáceres. All the detainees were charged with “invasion, instigation and disturbing the peace”, according to the Public Prosecutor, María del Carmen Meza (ABC, 15-11-08).
It was amid this vicious attack that comrade Caballo was savagely beaten and fatally wounded.
The problem of living in urban zones is a real drama for thousands of working families. The governor of Lugo has an obligation to find effective solutions to this problem, to execute a national plan by the public works, which should have as one of its priorities, a guarantee of decent housing for the people. However, his response to this urgent necessity, is the same as previous Colorado governors, criminalizing the social struggle.
We also request a free stay for all the peasant men and women unjustly accused, as well as an exemplary punishment of those responsible for the murder of Gerardo Carballo.
Marilina Marichal
CAES – I.A.I
PARAGUAY
