Asunción, June 14, 2007
The National Coordinating Table of Campesino Organizations [Mesa Coordinadora Nacional de Organizaciones Campesinas ] (MCNOC) once again denounces the constant abuse suffered by their colleagues. One of the most violence cases is the assasination of campesino Antonio Almada , 25-years-old, married and father, who was living in the community Meno Kue, in the Jasy Cañy district of Kanindeju province.
The criminal and brutal act that took place this past 26 and 27th of May. Antonio Almada left his house in the night of the 26th in the company of a friend who came to invite him to go out – without specifying where to. Almada was found dead the next day on the side of Highway 10 at aproximately 1000 metres of his house. The assistant of the district attorney of Curuguaty present for the removal of the body, concluded in his report that the cause of death was a traffic accident. Nevertheless, the family members denounced that Antonio Almada was tortured, shot and murdered, as his corpse showed signs of beating, with the nails ripped out, the genital organ totally torned away and a bullet hole in the neck. The neighbours of the community afterwards informed that they heard shouting in an abandoned house, the place where he was possibly tortured by an unknown group at that moment. Later at this place they also found blood stains and nails.
With all the evidence mentioned, it is imposible to accept the conclusion of the district attorney’s report, being a traffic accident. These type of actions are happening constantly to campesinos and most cases remain unpunished.
More Information on violence against Paraguayan Campesinos