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Dear Ambassador

Impeachment of President Fernando Lugo

On behalf of the Trades Union Congress, British workers and the 6 million members of our affiliated unions, I am writing to register our grave concerns about the removal from office of the democratically elected President of the Republic.

The tragic violence in Curuguaty indicates the ongoing and deep rooted social and economic problems in Paraguay, farmers without land, rising unemployment, discrimination against indigenous people and millions still living below the poverty line. However its use as a pretext by the Congress to removed the elected president a full year before the end of his term of office is unacceptable.

The TUC joins in the condemnation of this 'legislative coup' issued by the International Trade Union Confederation and the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas. We also wish to expresses our solidarity with the workers and people of Paraguay at this time and reiterate our full support for democracy, peace, human rights, social justice and the building of a new social order and economic model that benefits the majority of Paraguayan citizens and not simply a small oligarchy.

We call for a guarantee that institutional order will be restored, that violent confrontation will be avoided, that trade union and human rights will be respected, and that the legitimately

elected government will be supported, in full compliance with the principles of democracy.

We welcome the rapid response of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and other governments in region and believe their presence in the country could serve as a guarantee for democratic order and peace.

Yours sincerely

Brendan Barber

General Secretary

Briefing document (300 words) issued 5 Jul 2012