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Row over Paraguay dictator Alfredo Stroessner's remains | Row over Paraguay dictator Alfredo Stroessner's remains |
(35 minutes later) | |
Activists and former political prisoners in Paraguay have staged a demonstration against a proposal to repatriate the remains of former military ruler Gen Alfredo Stroessner. | Activists and former political prisoners in Paraguay have staged a demonstration against a proposal to repatriate the remains of former military ruler Gen Alfredo Stroessner. |
Gen Stroessner is buried in Brazil, where he died in exile in 2006. | Gen Stroessner is buried in Brazil, where he died in exile in 2006. |
His surviving relatives had wanted to repatriate his remains ahead of 3 November, the centenary of his birth. | His surviving relatives had wanted to repatriate his remains ahead of 3 November, the centenary of his birth. |
In 2008, a truth commission said that more than 400 people had been executed or disappeared during his 35-year rule. | In 2008, a truth commission said that more than 400 people had been executed or disappeared during his 35-year rule. |
The commission also found that almost 20,000 were imprisoned during his rule. | The commission also found that almost 20,000 were imprisoned during his rule. |
Gen Stroessner took refuge in Brasilia after he was deposed in a coup in 1989 carried out by another general, Andres Rodriguez. | Gen Stroessner took refuge in Brasilia after he was deposed in a coup in 1989 carried out by another general, Andres Rodriguez. |
One of his grandsons, a senator also called Alfredo, said efforts were continuing to have Gen Stroessner's remains laid to rest in his country of birth. | One of his grandsons, a senator also called Alfredo, said efforts were continuing to have Gen Stroessner's remains laid to rest in his country of birth. |
"Obviously he won't be here by 3 November, but soon the whole Stroessner family will be together in Paraguay," he said. | "Obviously he won't be here by 3 November, but soon the whole Stroessner family will be together in Paraguay," he said. |
'Never again' | 'Never again' |
However, the plan has drawn fierce criticism from human rights activists and those targeted under Gen Stroessner's regime. | However, the plan has drawn fierce criticism from human rights activists and those targeted under Gen Stroessner's regime. |
Hundreds of people joined the protest march in the capital, Asuncion. | Hundreds of people joined the protest march in the capital, Asuncion. |
"The protest is not just against the repatriation of his remains, it's against efforts to rehabilitate Stroessner's policy of state terrorism," Luis Casabianca, a former political prisoner and former militant of Paraguay's Communist Party, told the Efe news agency. | |
"We won't allow the rehabilitation of Stroessner's legacy", said one of the banners carried by the demonstrators. Others read: "Stroessner, never again!" | "We won't allow the rehabilitation of Stroessner's legacy", said one of the banners carried by the demonstrators. Others read: "Stroessner, never again!" |
During Mr Stroessner's government, Paraguay took part in Operation Condor, a campaign of state-terror and security operations which were jointly conducted by the right-wing military governments of six Latin American countries (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil) in the 1970s. | During Mr Stroessner's government, Paraguay took part in Operation Condor, a campaign of state-terror and security operations which were jointly conducted by the right-wing military governments of six Latin American countries (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil) in the 1970s. |
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