Constitution

Paraguay 1992 Constitution (reviewed 2011)

Table of Contents

Chapter XI. Of the Duties

Article 127. Of Compliance with the Law

All persons are obligated to comply with the law. The free criticism of the law [is permitted], but it is not permitted to advocate [predicar] its disobedience.

Article 128. Of the Primacy of the General Interest and of the Duty to Collaborate

In no case may the interest of individuals [particulares] prevail over the general interest. All the inhabitants must collaborate for the good of the country, providing [prestando] the services and performing the functions defined as of public responsibility [carga], determined by this Constitution and the law.

Article 129. Of the Military Service

All Paraguayan have the obligation to prepare themselves and to provide [prestar] their participation [concurso] for the armed defense of the Fatherland [Patria].

To this end, the obligatory military service is established. The law will regulate the conditions under which this duty will be made effective.

The military service must be complied with[,] with full dignity and respect for the person. In time of peace, it may not exceed 12 months.

Women will only provide [prestarán] military service as auxiliaries in the case of necessity, during [an] armed international conflict.

Those who declare their objection of conscience will provide [prestarán] [a] service benefiting the civilian population, through assistance centers designated by law and under civilian jurisdiction. The regulation and the exercise of this right should not have [a] punitive character nor impose burdens superior to those established for the military service.

The personal military service not determined by the law, or for the benefit or particular profit [lucro] of persons or private entities[,] is prohibited.

The law will regulate the contribution of foreigners to the national defense.

Article 130. Of the Glorious Sons [Beneméritos] of the Fatherland [Patria]

The veterans of the War of the Chaco [guerra del Chaco] and those of other armed international conflicts that are waged in the defense of the Fatherland [Patria], will enjoy honors and privileges; pensions that allow them to live decorously; preferential assistance, gratuitous and complete for their health, as well as other benefits, according to what the law determines.

Their widows and minor or handicapped children, including those [of] veterans who were dead prior to the promulgation of this Constitution[,] will succeed to the economic benefits.

The benefits granted to the glorious sons of the Fatherland [Patria] will not suffer restrictions and will be of immediate validity [vigencia], with no requirements but their unfailing certification.

The Bolivian ex-prisoners of war, who since the signing of the Treaty of Peace would have made the choice of integrating themselves definitively into the country, are equated to the veterans of the War of the Chaco, concerning the economic benefits and assistance advantages [prestaciones].