IACHR Concludes Promotional Visit to Panama

November 21, 2022

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Washington, D.C. — The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) concluded its promotional visit to Panama, which took place from November 14 to 16, 2022. The aim of this visit was to strengthen and deepen the IACHR's collaboration with the State and promote inter-American human rights standards and instruments, as well as to hold training sessions with government officials on the inter-American system of human rights and the IACHR's work.

The IACHR delegation was led by Commissioner Roberta Clarke, Country Rapporteur for Panama and Rapporteur on the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Trans, Bisexual, and Intersexual People. The delegation also included specialists from the IACHR Executive Secretariat. During the visit, the delegation held meetings with authorities from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Government, the Ministry of Public Security, the Electoral Tribunal, the Attorney General's Office, the Ombud's Office, and the Supreme Court of Justice. The delegation also took part in meetings with civil society organizations.

The IACHR's activities in Panama included presenting two reports to State authorities: "The Right of Boys and Girls to a Family. Alternative Care. Ending Institutionalization in the Americas", and "Towards the Effective Fulfillment of Children's Rights: Effective Protection Systems." It also presented two other documents: "Inter-American Principles on the Human Rights of All Migrants, Refugees, Stateless Persons, and Victims of Trafficking" and the Compendium on Equality and Non-Discrimination. In addition, the IACHR technical team facilitated three training sessions for more than 100 public officials on the human rights of migrants and refugees, equality and non-discrimination, and the rights of children and adolescents, particularly on children's right to live in a family.

During the visit, the Republic of Panama made clear its commitment to continue cooperating with the IACHR as part of the execution of its mandate. The IACHR looks forward to continuing to work closely with the State to effectively protect human rights in the country.

It also wishes to thank the Republic of Panama for all the support that it provided the IACHR delegation and its commitment to strengthening dialogue with the IACHR and the protection of human rights. The IACHR is also grateful to civil society organizations for the information that they shared with the delegation.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 260/22

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