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MODEL LETTER for Panama Campaign

MODEL LETTER 

DATE 

Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal
Presidente de la República
Presidencia de la República
Panamá  1
República de Panamá 
Fax  +(507) 527-9034 
Email: prensa@presidencia.gob.pa

Dear Sr. Presidente, 

As an advocate for human rights and environmental protection in my own country and around the world, I am pleased and relieved that the Panama government has revoked Law 30 and negotiated new laws through a process of dialogue following the July protests. These actions are exemplary, and they encourage me to request that you take further steps to redress the grievances of Panama’s Indigenous Peoples.

Specifically, I urge you to revoke Law No. 14, which criminalizes non-violent acts of protest, and Executive Decree No. 537, which restricts the right of Indigenous Peoples to choose their own leaders. The executive decree violates the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which (to your credit) Panama has endorsed.  The Ngöbe people expressed their disapproval of the executive decree by refusing to vote in the government-sponsored election of Ngobe representatives on Oct. 24. Human Rights Everywhere reported serious human rights violations in the conduct of the government-imposed election.  I am very concerned that the Panama government would appear to intervene in the selection of Ngöbe leaders who will make decisions about mining, dams, tourist resorts, and other development projects that will have enormous impacts on the Ngöbe people and their lands. To restore confidence, Executive Decree No. 537 must be revoked.  

Thank you for taking appropriate actions to address these concerns.

Sincerely, 

YOUR NAME
YOUR ORGANIZATION
YOUR ADDRESS

CC:

    Juan Carlos Varela 
    Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores
    Calle 3Palacio Bolívar, Edificio 26
    Zona postal San Felipe,
    Panamá 4, Panamá
    Fax +(507) 511-4023           
    Email: jcvarela@mire.gob.pa or mgalindo@mire.gob.pa 

    Jose Salvador Munoz
    Presidente de la Asamblea Nacional
    Plaza 5 de Mayo, Panamá 
    Apartado Postal: 0815-01603, 
    Panamá, Rep. de Panamá 
    Fax: +(507) 512-8104 
    Email:  transparencia@asamblea.gob.pa


    Please note: Postage from the US to Panama is 98 cents.

    Note: the U.S. Congress has an opportunity to press Panama to implement human rights and environmental protections by writing this language into a bilateral free trade agreement, soon to be negotiated. So please send a copy of your letter to the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.

    Rep. Sander Levin - Ways and Means Chairman 
    Longworth House Office Building, Room: 1236 
    Independence and New Jersey Avenues, S.E. 
    Washington, DC 20515
    Phone: (202) 225-4961
    Fax: (202) 226-1033

    Email: visit http://www.house.gov/levin/levin_contact.shtml