(prensa.com) The indigenous communities of Panama will be the focus of a visit by a delegation from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights next week.
The delegation will be headed by the organization’s specialist of the rights of indigenous peoples, Dinah Shelton, who has asked to meet with Cabinet Ministers and Panamanian officials, including President Ricardo Martinelli. In addition, the delegation will visit regions such as Ngäbe Buglé, Kuna and Emberá Wounann. The itinerary also includes trips to Charco la Pava, Changuinola Arriba, Guayabal, Bayano and Ipetí.
Last year, the commission held several hearings on issues of indigenous communities in Panama, with particular attention to the development of hydroelectric dams that affect these communities, and the riots in Bocas del Toro that left two dead and wounded more than 200 last July.
After those hearings, it issued a statement saying that Panama signed an accord that calls for consultations to be made with communities impacted by developments, such as hydro projects. It also issued an injunction ordering the suspension of the hydroelectric project Chan 75 in Bocas del Toro.