Unite the Union joins those opposing the "Coup d'etat" in Paraguay

Unite the Union, the biggest trade union in Britain and Ireland representing 1.5 million members, has passed an Emergency Motion at its annual conference in Brighton on the situation in Paraguay, joining the governments of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and others in condemning what has been widely termed a “political coup” in Paraguay, where the elected President Lugo has been removed from office by an illegitimate “impeachment” process. Following the passing of the motion, around 70 delegates took place in two photo calls to express their solidarity with those protesting for President Lugo's return in Paraguay and against reported human rights abuses.

Putting the 'political coup' in a continental context, the motion notes that "The progressive wave of recent years in Latin America has many powerful enemies, both from former ruling elites internally and right-wing forces internationally," and concludes that "International support is vital so that democratic and social advances continue."

Commenting on behalf of the VSC and Unite the Union on both the support shown at Unite and the wider solidarity that has been shown in Britain, Unite the Union Assistant General Secretary Tony Burke said, "The wide range of support from across British society - including Unite - for democracy and social progress in Paraguay echoes the increasing international clamour for President Lugo's return."