By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

DRY CHACO, Paraguay—An expedition led by conservation scientists from London’s Natural History Museum has become controversial because of the threat it poses to local indigenous peoples.  The expedition would invade remote areas of Paraguay that reach into Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil, called the Dry Chaco.  Experts fear that the expedition may have “fatal consequences” for indigenous groups, including the Ayoreo Indians who avoid contact with outsiders.

The Museum scientists plan to explore the Dry Chaco, a semi-arid lowland, in order to discover and record biodiversity.  Biologists and botanists will search for new plants, insects and animals in the isolated region.  The Museum has stated that it hopes their findings will help “governments and conversation groups better understand how to manage fragile habitats and protect them for future generations.”  The Dry Chaco has been threatened recently by the possibilities of logging and intensive agriculture.

The Museum has assured that they have researched the area and will try to avoid any contact with the indigenous groups.  Professor Richard Lane, head of science at the Museum, said, “[O]ur collaborators have enlisted an Ayoreo elder, who has volunteered to guide our team in the forest.”

Benno Glauser, Director of Iniciativa Amotocodie, a not-for-profit dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Ayoreo, has expressed concern about the expedition’s negative impact on indigenous peoples living in the area, many of whom have never made contact with the outside world.  According to Glauser, “[w]e know of three isolated indigenous groups in the area targeted by the expedition.  They live in completely virgin forest.  It makes them vulnerable to any external intrusion.”

Glauser said that “surprise contact” could arise between the scientists and indigenous peoples because the scientists would be moving “around in a very silent way in order to observe animals.”

Jonathan Mazower, the Advocacy Director for Survival International, a human rights organization that campaigns for the rights of indigenous tribal peoples and uncontacted peoples, maintains that intruders may be seen as hostile by the indigenous groups, and surprise encounters may become violent.  Mazower has suggested that a good compromise could be to go through with the expedition, but move it to another area in the Dry Chaco.

Ayoreo elders who live near the town of Filadelfia have asked Paraguay’s president and the Museum itself to stop the expedition.  They believe that indigenous groups are endangered by the plans and said, “There is too much risk.  It’s like a genocide.”

For more information, please see:

Monga Bay-Chaco expedition working to ‘minimize the risk’ of running into uncontacted natives-11 November 2010

Telegraph-Danger: the world is on its way-10 November 2010

BBC-Conservation expedition ‘poses risk to tribes’-9 November 2010

This is London-Paraguay trip by scientists ‘could wipe out natives’-9 November 2010

By Patrick Vanderpool
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – For the first time in history, Uruguay has imprisoned an active military official for human rights violations committed during the country’s 1973-85 dictatorship.

On Monday, General Miguel Dalmao was jailed for Nibia Sabalsagaray’s 1974 murder.  Sabalsagaray, a communist, was found hung in a prison cell after Dalmao had detained her.  If convicted, Dalmao may face 30 years in prison.  Col. Jose Chialanza was also jailed in connection with Sabalsagaray’s murder.

Sabalsagaray was found hanged in her cell shortly after being captured by Uruguayan military officers. At the time Sabalsagaray was detained, Chialanza was a battalion commander and Dalmao was a lieutenant in charge of gathering intelligence on individuals who were suspected of subversion.

Dalmao and Chialanza both claim that Sabalsagaray hanged herself.  However, Prosecutor Mirtha Guianze and lawyers for Sabalsagaray’s family presented evidence that they claim rules out the possibility of suicide.

Dalmao, who currently commands the Uruguayan army’s 4th Division, has repeatedly and steadfastly asserted his innocence.  Uruguay’s top army general, Jorge Rosales, has also publically supported Dalmao’s claims of innocence.  Nevertheless, the Uruguayan military has not issued any statements since Dalmao was officially imprisoned.

Uruguay Supreme Court’s recent ruling, declaring unconstitutional a law which made it easier for those alleged to have committed human rights violation during the dictatorship to achieve amnesty, may pave the way for not only Dalmao and Chialanza, but many others, to serve jail time for their violations.

To this point, a dozen Uruguayan military officials have been prosecuted for crimes against humanity, but all were committed outside Uruguay.  The court’s decision makes available the possibility that additional human rights violators within the country will be sought out and prosecuted.

Dalmao will remain jailed throughout the appeals process; the process will likely take several months.

For more information, please see:

The Argentina Independent – Uruguay: Military Dictatorship Crime Prosecutions – 9 November 2010

The Canadian Press – Active Uruguayan general imprisoned for aggravated murder in 1974 death of political prisoner – 8 November 2010

Kansascity.com – Active Uruguayan general imprisoned in 1974 murder – 8 November 2010