Paraguay govt distances self from senator’s racist remarks against Mbappé

The Paraguayan government has officially condemned racist remarks made by Senator Celeste Amarilla targeting French football star Kylian Mbappe. The government issued a statement on Monday, asserting that Amarilla's comments were contrary to the nation's values of peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity.

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The Government of the Republic of Paraguay deplores and rejects the statements made by Senator Celeste Amarilla, directed at the captain of the French national football team, Kylian Mbappe.

"The Government of the Republic of Paraguay deplores and rejects the statements made by Senator Celeste Amarilla, directed at the captain of the French national football team, Kylian Mbappe," the statement read. It emphasized that the senator's remarks do not reflect the official position of Paraguay or its citizens, and that she alone is responsible for her words as a lawmaker.

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These statements are contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity, which our country promotes.

Senator Amarilla had faced widespread backlash for a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) that included insults about Mbappe's intelligence, references to primates, and labeling him a "colonised Cameroonian." The Paraguayan government clarified that its system of government guarantees the independence of its branches, and therefore, Amarilla's statements were made in her individual capacity as a member of the Legislative Branch.

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In this context, the statements made by the aforementioned legislator correspond exclusively to the exercise of her individual responsibility as a member of the Legislative Branch and in no way represent the position of the Government of the Republic of Paraguay or of the Paraguayan people.

The government also used the occasion to reaffirm its strong stance against all forms of discrimination. "The Government of Paraguay reaffirms its firm commitment to the promotion of human rights, equality, and respect among all people, as well as to the fight against racism, xenophobia, intolerance, and every form of hatred or discrimination," it stated. The statement concluded by expressing solidarity with those affected by the remarks and reiterating Paraguay's respect for the French people.

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The Government of Paraguay reaffirms its firm commitment to the promotion of human rights, equality, and respect among all people, as well as to the fight against racism, xenophobia, intolerance, and every form of hatred or discrimination.