New wave of attacks against research centers in Paraguay

Expression of solidarity from CLACSO member centers in Paraguay with CADEP

In response to the public threats of criminal charges directed at Center for Analysis and Dissemination of the Economy Paraguayan (CADEP) by representatives of tobacco companies in the country linked to former president Horacio Cartes, for the results of an investigation on production, marketing and fiscal participation of tobacco products, the research centers that are members in Paraguay of the academic network Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO):

– They express their solidarity with CADEP, an organization with a long and recognized history in the social sciences at the national and international level, a member of CLACSO, which has been making relevant contributions that respect the standards in this field, and which has also always shown a strong commitment to democratic construction in Paraguay.

– They strongly reject the reaction of tobacco companies to the study published by CADEP, as it represents an attempt to restrict freedom in scientific work and the responsible dissemination of research results of public interest, which contribute to the knowledge and debate on the social and economic situation of Paraguay. Social research is essential for building societies that critically reflect on themselves and are capable of making changes that have a collective impact. The attempt to suppress its execution, the selection of topics, methodologies, and the dissemination of conclusions represents a manifestation of authoritarianism and a setback for Paraguay and the region. Any differences that may exist regarding sources, analyses, and conclusions should encourage academic debate under conditions of respect, equality, and freedom.

– They demand that the powers of the State, especially the Judiciary, act independently in the face of pressure from sectors that seek to judicialize academic work.

They express their concern regarding the growing trend in our country of various forms of attack from centers of economic and political power against the scientific community, attempting to tarnish careers, discredit research results and conclusions without arguments or evidence-based information when they are inconvenient for those in power, and even trying to limit access to resources. These are signs that should alert the public in order to prevent the advance of authoritarianism.

They encourage all citizens, especially authorities and leaders of organized political, economic, and social sectors, to read the documents and participate in an informed manner in the public debate regarding the results of the research study “Tobacco Overproduction in Paraguay: Domestic and Cross-Border Impacts,” prepared by a CADEP working group. Both the topic and the conclusions should be central to collective analysis and inspire significant changes in public policy and tax justice.

Asunción, April 24, 2021

CLACSO member centers in Paraguay:
Social Research Base – BASE-IS / Center for Analysis and Dissemination of the Paraguayan Economy – CADEP / Center for Documentation and Studies – CDE / Center for Anthropological Studies of the Catholic University – CEADUC, Catholic University “Our Lady of the Assumption” / Center for Interdisciplinary Rural Studies – CERI / Germinal Center for Studies and Popular Education – CEEPG / Department of Social Sciences – DCS, Catholic University “Our Lady of the Assumption” / General Directorate of Postgraduate Studies and International Relations, National University of Asunción – UNA / Territorial Approach / Postgraduate School of the Rectorate – EPR, National University of the East – UNE / Faculty of Sciences, Technologies and Arts – FCTA, National University of Pilar – UNP / Institute of Social Sciences – ICSO / Institute of Comparative Studies in Criminal and Social Sciences – INECIP-Paraguay / Faculty of Social Sciences – FACSO, National University of Asunción – UNA / Research for Development – ​​ID / Seeds for Democracy – SPD / Peace and Justice Service, Paraguay – SERPAJ-PY / Tierraviva to the Indigenous Peoples of Chaco.

[+] Latin American and Caribbean Front
in the struggle for democracy and the people