This is according to the latest report from the organization Panambi. Police and healthcare abuses, as well as the lack of official records of violence complaints, demonstrate the absence of state policies guaranteeing the rights of the trans population. The report on the situation of violence against trans people in Paraguay during 2016 , prepared by Panambi , reveals a widespread context of social discrimination and intolerance toward the community in both the public and private spheres. Two murders of trans women were recorded, while complaints of physical violence, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity increased from 39 in 2015 to 87 in 2016. The report also documented cases of police abuse, the conditions of detained trans people, lack of access to justice, and the violence they suffer in accessing healthcare, among other issues.

Two transvestite murders 

While there is no official data on the number of trans people murdered during 2016, two cases were reported in the media, bringing the total to 57 since 1989, according to the report. Forgotten until death Published by the organization in 2014. Adriana, 34, was stabbed to death in the chest on May 5 in the city of Capitá, while Andrea González Martínez, 20, was shot to death on December 6 in Ciudad del Este.

Increase in violence due to discrimination

According to the Rohendu telephone hotline, 14% of the calls received regarding acts of violence or discrimination belong to trans people.

READ ALSO: [ A voice on the phone against discrimination ]

From the beginning of 2012 to the end of 2016, 1,239 reports were registered concerning cases originating from high-risk populations and people living with HIV, with whom the Counseling and Reporting Center works primarily. There were 64 reports in 2012; 58 in 2013; 60 in 2014; 39 in 2015; and 87 in 2016.

No legislative progress on rights

The report emphasizes that there has been virtually no progress on legislative matters. In this regard, it notes that the bill against all forms of discrimination remains unapproved. It also highlights the exclusion of transgender women from the Comprehensive Protection for Women against all forms of Violence Act, passed in early December. 

[READ ALSO: Paraguay: Trans women excluded from comprehensive protection law ]

Progress in the rights of trans people occurred at the ministerial level with the approval of the protocol for the care of trans people deprived of liberty by the Ministry of Justice (although it dates from 2015, it was made public during 2016); and Resolution 695 of the Ministry of Health, which allows trans people to register with a social name in public health services.

 Torture by security forces

The report notes that, while police abuse against transgender people is known, cases are generally not documented, with very high levels of underreporting. “Police violence occurs at all stages of custody, from arrest and transport in police vehicles to, above all, in police stations, where abuses range from repeated verbal abuse to demands for sexual favors,” the report states.

Violence in the provision of health services

The report indicates that healthcare professionals refuse to touch transgender women or use excessive precautions; they blame them for their health conditions; and they use rude or abusive language. Panambí is aware of violence against transgender people—especially children, adolescents, and young adults—aimed at changing their sexual orientation or gender identity. The information refers to cases of people subjected to purported psychotherapeutic treatments with the goal of “changing” their orientation or identity. The report highlights that some texts classifying homosexuality as a pathology, and even more so for transgender people, remain in use at the Faculty of Medicine of the National University of Asunción.

Situation of trans people deprived of liberty

According to accounts from incarcerated transgender women, they lack beds or mattresses, sheets, personal hygiene items, and other necessities. Furthermore, their right to food is constantly violated, as there are times when food is insufficient, and the transgender population is the first to have their rations reduced. Another right violated in prisons is access to healthcare, not only due to infrastructure problems but also due to a lack of medication. It is reported that the most common health issues affecting the transgender population are malnutrition, oral diseases, boils, STIs, and other ailments.

Invisibility of everyday violence

From Panambí, they observe that the low number of registered complaints also obscures the everyday violence against trans people, particularly regarding non-lethal attacks. In this regard, they report that, according to accounts, trans people suffer attacks ranging from pushing to beatings, having water, bottles, stones, blunt objects, and even acid thrown at them; in other cases, public transportation has not stopped to let trans people board, or some people refuse to rent them homes because of their gender identity.

Lack of reports

The report argues that lThe absence of official data collection mechanisms regarding the LGBT community in general, and trans people in particular, renders prejudice-motivated acts of violence invisible, obscuring their true extent. Another point emphasized is the lack of official reports and statistics: “The available official data does not reflect the true dimension of the violence faced by trans people.” It argues that the stigmas and prejudices internalized by trans people themselves can hinder the recognition and acknowledgment of abuse as such.

[READ ALSO: #Paraguay: They entered the Judiciary to defend trans women ]

“Often, victims, their families, and friends do not report the murders of their trans relatives or friends due to the high levels of prejudice and hostility toward non-normative sexual orientations and gender identities that permeate the authorities and other members of the community,” the report states. Insufficient training for police and justice officials “can lead to inaccurate records. Thus, trans women are frequently identified in public records as ‘men dressed in women’s clothing,’ reflecting a lack of understanding or confusion regarding the concepts of sexual orientation and gender identity. Furthermore, the chosen name of trans people is not recorded as an identity, but rather as an ‘alias.’”

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