On the left, ongoing manifestations against mining and violence. Photo Courtesy of Kibian Stanley, Kuna Youth Movement; On the right, attacks the premises of the Guna Congress of Madugandi, Photo courtesy of @RARCHIBOLDO6
To the national and international community:
The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) issues a second urgent statement on acts of repression by the government of Panama, headed by Mr. José Raúl Mulino. These actions have targeted Indigenous Peoples who have in recent weeks joined calls by the broader Panamanian population to stop the implementation of a law that would permit mining, among other demands.
From May 13th to the 31st, the persecution and systematic repression of the Indigenous Peoples of Panama has continued. Members of the Panamanian army and police are directly responsible for attacks with tear gas, shooting at protesters, illegal detentions of Indigenous leaders and authorities, violence against women and children, occupying communities to persecute and arrest young people, and criminalizing Indigenous leadership and authority.
Recent events, recorded in criminal case No. 202500036802, involve the criminalization and apprehension in Arimae of the following authorities from the General Congress of the Emberá and Wounaan Collective Lands, in Darién Province:
1. Elivardo Membache Bacorizo, CIP No. 5-24-447, village leader (noko) of Arimae.
2. Lucrecia Caisamo Tocamo, CIP No. 5-704-1069, deputy cacique of the General Congress of the Emberá and Wounaan Collective Lands.
3. Isaías Caisamo Carupia, CIP No. 5-709-1931, traditional community police officer (zarra) from the Local Congress of the community of Arimae.
4. Luciana Caisamo Tocamo de Opua, CIP No. 5-703-886, member of the Local Congress of the community of Arimae.
5. Imelda Salazar, CIP No. 5-711-1969, member of the Local Congress of the community of Arimae.
The crimes or charges brought against the detainees are: 1. Crime against life and personal integrity; and 2. Crimes against public administration.
In addition, there are hundreds of photographs and videos circulating on social media that bear witness to these human rights violations perpetrated by the army and police, under the direction of President Mulino of Panama.
During the night of May 31st, security agents launched an assault on the premises of the Guna Congress of Madungandí. The victims of this despicable act are not currently known.
In view of the severe and systematic repression of Indigenous Peoples that is currently taking place in Panama, which has resulted in attacks on offices, injuries to people, and deaths, we request urgent action and the immediate presence of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to observe the situation and mediate to bring about an end to this violence against Indigenous Peoples.
Similarly, IITC calls for a firm and resolute pronouncement by the members of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the thematic and special rapporteurs of the OAS and UN, so that their presence and pronouncement may help to save lives and prevent suffering among this population.
IITC hopes that the broader international community will break its recent silence and demand an immediate end to the repression and persecution of Indigenous Peoples in Panama.
Guatemala City, June 1st, 2025
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INTERNATIONAL DENUNCIATION OF ACTS OF REPRESSION IN PANAMA
On the left, ongoing manifestations against mining and violence. Photo Courtesy of Kibian Stanley, Kuna Youth Movement; On the right, attacks the premises of the Guna Congress of Madugandi, Photo courtesy of @RARCHIBOLDO6
To the national and international community:
The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) issues a second urgent statement on acts of repression by the government of Panama, headed by Mr. José Raúl Mulino. These actions have targeted Indigenous Peoples who have in recent weeks joined calls by the broader Panamanian population to stop the implementation of a law that would permit mining, among other demands.
From May 13th to the 31st, the persecution and systematic repression of the Indigenous Peoples of Panama has continued. Members of the Panamanian army and police are directly responsible for attacks with tear gas, shooting at protesters, illegal detentions of Indigenous leaders and authorities, violence against women and children, occupying communities to persecute and arrest young people, and criminalizing Indigenous leadership and authority.
Recent events, recorded in criminal case No. 202500036802, involve the criminalization and apprehension in Arimae of the following authorities from the General Congress of the Emberá and Wounaan Collective Lands, in Darién Province:
1. Elivardo Membache Bacorizo, CIP No. 5-24-447, village leader (noko) of Arimae.
2. Lucrecia Caisamo Tocamo, CIP No. 5-704-1069, deputy cacique of the General Congress of the Emberá and Wounaan Collective Lands.
3. Isaías Caisamo Carupia, CIP No. 5-709-1931, traditional community police officer (zarra) from the Local Congress of the community of Arimae.
4. Luciana Caisamo Tocamo de Opua, CIP No. 5-703-886, member of the Local Congress of the community of Arimae.
5. Imelda Salazar, CIP No. 5-711-1969, member of the Local Congress of the community of Arimae.
The crimes or charges brought against the detainees are: 1. Crime against life and personal integrity; and 2. Crimes against public administration.
In addition, there are hundreds of photographs and videos circulating on social media that bear witness to these human rights violations perpetrated by the army and police, under the direction of President Mulino of Panama.
During the night of May 31st, security agents launched an assault on the premises of the Guna Congress of Madungandí. The victims of this despicable act are not currently known.
In view of the severe and systematic repression of Indigenous Peoples that is currently taking place in Panama, which has resulted in attacks on offices, injuries to people, and deaths, we request urgent action and the immediate presence of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to observe the situation and mediate to bring about an end to this violence against Indigenous Peoples.
Similarly, IITC calls for a firm and resolute pronouncement by the members of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the thematic and special rapporteurs of the OAS and UN, so that their presence and pronouncement may help to save lives and prevent suffering among this population.
IITC hopes that the broader international community will break its recent silence and demand an immediate end to the repression and persecution of Indigenous Peoples in Panama.
Guatemala City, June 1st, 2025