GENEVA (February 7, 2012) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, urged the Government of Panama and the indigenous peoples to initiate a process of dialogue in the face of the situation of tension and violence generated after acts of indigenous protest.
“I urge the Government of Panama and the Ngäbe-Buglé, Emberá and Wounaan peoples to initiate a dialogue process as soon as possible, in order to find a peaceful solution to this situation of conflict,” said Mr. Anaya, referring to recent demonstrations by indigenous representatives and clashes with the police.
Recently, members of the Ngäbe-Buglé indigenous people took over different points on the inter-American highway to protest mining and hydroelectric activities proposed for their territories. During these demonstrations there were clashes with the police that resulted in injuries, arrests and the death of an indigenous protester.
On the other hand, representatives of the Emberá and Wounaan peoples and other indigenous peoples made a public call denouncing the lack of legalization of their lands and stating that they will initiate protest mobilizations to express solidarity with the Ngäbe-Buglé peoples.
Likewise, the Special Rapporteur urged the Government of Panama to "adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the safety of the people who participate in the demonstrations and avoid acts that affect their lives and integrity." Mr. Anaya also requested that the circumstances of the alleged death of an indigenous protester be investigated and clarified, in order to punish those responsible.
In a report* presented to the UN Human Rights Council in 2011, the Special Rapporteur noted that large development projects, along with the exploitation of natural resources, have become “one of the most significant sources of human rights abuse”. the rights of indigenous peoples in the world”.
On March 26, 2008, the UN Human Rights Council appointed James Anaya Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, for an initial period of three years. The Council renewed his term for an additional three years in 2011. Mr. Anaya is the Regents' Professor and the James J. Lenoir Professor of Human Rights at the University of Arizona School of Law (USA). ).
(*) Read the report of the Special Rapporteur: A/HRC/18/35
Visit the Special Rapporteur's website: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IPeoples/SRIndigenousPeoples/Pages/SRIPeoplesIndex.aspx
OHCHR, country page – Panama: http://www.ohchr.org/SP/Countries/LACRegion/Pages/PAIndex.aspx
See the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?Open&DS=A/RES/61/295&Lang=S
For more information and press requests, please contact Maia Sophia Campbell (Tel.: + 41 22 917 9314 / email: mcampbell@ohchr.org ) or write to indigenous@ohchr.org
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Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org )
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