UN EXPERT URGES PANAMA TO STRENGTHEN RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

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From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 29 Jul 2013 12:00:00 -0400
Subject: UN EXPERT URGES PANAMA TO STRENGTHEN RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

UN EXPERT URGES PANAMA TO STRENGTHEN RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
New York, Jul 29 2013 12:00PM
Panama must continue to strengthen the rights of its indigenous people
and ensure they are allowed to preserve their land and autonomy, a
United Nations independent expert said today, raising concerns over
the recent loss of large indigenous areas to third parties.

"Indigenous peoples have repeatedly expressed their concern to me of
the presence of third parties in their territories, both in and out of
the regions," said the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous
peoples, James Anaya. "These parties include private settlers and
agricultural, livestock and tourism, as well as miners and illegal
loggers."

Mr. Anaya stressed that one of the major concerns of the seven
indigenous groups in Panama is the recognition and protection of their
territories and natural resources.

"In Panama, the preservation and development of indigenous cultures is
due in large part to the Government's acknowledgement that they are
autonomous and have their own territory in the region," he said,
adding that the Government's official recognition of indigenous
counties is an affirmation of indigenous peoples worldwide.

"These developments represent a significant foundation on which to
continue building and strengthening the rights of the indigenous
peoples of Panama," Mr. Anaya said. "However, during the last week I
have noticed that this foundation is in many ways fragile and
precarious, and there are several threats to the rights of indigenous
peoples threatening the progress made in previous years."

Mr. Anaya urged the Government to cooperate with indigenous
authorities to control and stop these invasions and privatization of
land, including indigenous territories that are still waiting to be
officially demarcated and recognized by the State.

"The development of large investment projects in indigenous
territories of Panama has been the subject of numerous allegations of
violations of the rights of indigenous peoples, especially in recent
years," he said. "This has resulted in the loss of large areas of
indigenous lands and natural resources, as well as the fragmentation
of control and decision making that indigenous authorities exert on
their land."

Mr. Anaya, who just finished a seven-day visit to the country, also
emphasized the need to reinforce and implement policies in favour of
the rights of indigenous peoples according to international standards.
In particular, he stated that the creation of a national development
plan for indigenous peoples could be a major advance if it is based on
the aspirations of indigenous groups and if it has the necessary
resources and budget to be implemented.

During his visit, Mr. Anaya met in Panama City with Government
officials, as well as representatives of indigenous groups and civil
society.

Special rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights
Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a
specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the
experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work. Mr. Anaya
will present his findings and recommendations to the Council in 2014.

Jul 29 2013 12:00PM
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