Paraguay Opposition Urges Debate on Anti-Discrimination Law Amid Mbappé Controversy

Paraguayan opposition lawmakers are seizing on the public condemnation of Senator Celeste Amarilla's controversial remarks about French footballer Kylian Mbappé to pressure the ruling party into debating a stalled anti-discrimination law. Figures like Senator Esperanza Martínez and former legislator Desirée Masi argue that the government's strong reaction to Amarilla's comments is hypocritical, given its inaction on human rights legislation.

Martínez directly criticized politicians who are now vocally condemning Amarilla but have historically obstructed progress on human rights protections. She highlighted that an anti-discrimination law has been "cajoneada" (shelved) for over two decades. "Now they are tearing their clothes over those who block any debate related to rights. Let's debate the law, let's debate the violence in this society and the responsibility of the media and politics," Martínez demanded.

She further asserted that racial, class, and gender-based hatred stem from the same intolerant root. Martínez provided examples of everyday discrimination in Paraguay, such as prejudice against Afro-descendants, Paraguayan migrants abroad, indigenous people, domestic workers, and the poor. She also pointed to violence against women and homosexual individuals.

Masi echoed these sentiments, criticizing the government's selective outrage. Both lawmakers stressed that discrimination cannot be masked as freedom of expression and that political opportunism should not exploit such issues. Martínez concluded by stating, "We need to stop a bit. Not everything goes to gain visibility. Hate is not freedom of expression, and politics cannot be a popularity contest."

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No todo vale para ganar visibilidad. El odio no es libertad de expresión y la política no puede ser un concurso de fama