This Country Profile provides a basic overview of the legal history and institutional structures of the Republic of Paraguay (República del Paraguay), based on research produced by GlobaLex at NYU Law School and the Library of Congress. Under Paraguay's Constitution, Islamic law (sharīʿa or fiqh) has no legal status.
Country Background
Paraguay is located in Central South America, northeast of Argentina and southwest of Brazil. The capital of Paraguay is Asuncion. The official languages are Spanish and Guarani. The country’s population in 2016 was approximately 6.8 million. Paraguay is a predominantly Christian country, with about 90% of the population Roman Catholic.
Constitution & Legal Structure
Paraguay is referred to as a presidential republic. It is a civil law system with influence from Spanish, Roman, French, and Argentine civil law models. The current Constitution of Paraguay was adopted in 1992. There are three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial.
Constitutional Status of Islamic Law
Islamic law has no constitutional status in Paraguay.
Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law
Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Paraguay.
Dominant School of Islamic Law
Paraguay has no official school of Islamic law.
Sources of Law for Legal Research
Official Publications
Unofficial Databases
References:
For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English and Arabic translation. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].