Special Rapporteur Albert Barume (at center) visited the Kuna community of Aqua Yala,

Kuna Comarca of Madungandi  on 20 June 2025

 

Guatemala City, June 30, 2025: On June 22, 2025, Dr. Albert Barume, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, concluded his academic visit to Panama. The purpose of the visit was to learn onsite about the violations of the rights of Indigenous Peoples resulting from the Panamanian government’s response to peaceful protests against imposed mining on their lands. Dr. Barume was invited by the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) and the Kuna General Congress, a member of the Coordinating Body of Indigenous Organizations of Panama (CONAPIP).

 

The UN Special Rapporteur, under the mandate of the Human Rights Council, reviews reports of violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights and advises states on compliance with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. During his visit, Dr. Barume met with authorities, leaders, families, and members of Indigenous comarcas, coordinated by CONAPIP, in the following locations:

 

• Panama City: University of Panama – meeting with the Kuna Youth Movement (MJK) and with government authorities of the comarcas (CONAPIP).
• Interior of the country: Arimae, Ipeti Emberá, Piriatí, Akuayala, and El Piro (Ngäbe-Buglé).

 

During his visit to several, different areas where Indigenous Peoples have faced repression, Dr. Barume heard testimonies from hundreds of victims, including Indigenous women, elders, youth, and children. These individuals reported repression perpetrated by the Crowd Control Unit (UCM), the Panamanian National Police, and the National Border Service (SENAFRONT). The Special Rapporteur stated: “I very much regret what has happened here; it is not fair, it is a clear violation of international law that should not have happened.”

 

Juan León Alvarado, Coordinator of IITC’s Human Rights and Biodiversity Program, accompanied Dr. Barume, supporting Panamanian Indigenous leaders and the Kuna General Congress (an IITC affiliate). Mr. León Alvarado stated that “after the national and international complaints of the serious human rights violations taking place against Indigenous Peoples in Panama, IITC believed the presence of the Special Rapporteur onsite to be urgent in order to verify the facts first hand.” It is important to note that while the Special Rapporteur offered to meet with the Panamanian government, they were unavailable.

 

The violations and repression against Indigenous Peoples began on May 15, 2025, at the hands of the Panamanian government security forces in Emberá territory, where the people organized against the imposed mining. The government’s repression then extended to all Indigenous Peoples protesting in solidarity with the Emberá.

 

During visits to various Indigenous comarcas, the Special Rapporteur heard testimonies and saw evidence of serious injuries caused by bullets and other implements used by Panamanian authorities. Reports included arrests of women (including pregnant women), children, and the elderly; home raids; arson of private and community property; and the use of tear gas and lethal ammunition. Some victims reported detentions lasting over 30 hours without access to toilets or food. Victims reported that the police ordered health centers not to attend to the wounded arriving from protest areas, leading to denial of medical attention and further detentions of individuals who were gravely hurt.

 

As a result of government repression, traditional authorities of the Indigenous comarcal governments are in hiding or displaced from their territories, away from their families, unable to govern their communities. Testimonies affirm that these events have caused fear, insecurity, and material and psychological damage to the entire population, from their youth to their elders.

 

The repression victims and the authorities of the Indigenous governments the make up the CONAPIP insist that the Government of Panama must respect domestic law, the Constitution, and international human rights instruments, including those pertaining to Indigenous Peoples. They demand consultations to obtain free, prior and informed consent, respect for the institutionality and authority of the comarcal governments, and the suspension of mining activity imposed in Indigenous territories without consent.

 

At the end of the Special Rapporteur’s visit, the General Cacique of the Emberá Wounann Comarca and Coordinator of CONAPIP, Mr. Leonides Cunampia, stated: “I am grateful for IITC’s presence and support to ensure that the Rapporteur’s visit went well. IITC’s presence made us strong and feel accompanied, and for that, I am thankful.” Likewise, IITC expresses its deep gratitude to all the individuals and Indigenous Peoples of Panama who provided testimonies, accounts, and experiences, and who relived difficult moments while recounting the events to the Special Rapporteur. IITC also thanks the Kuna General Congress, the Coordinating Body of Indigenous Organizations of Panama (CONAPIP), the Kuna Youth Movement (MJK), and the University of Panama for coordinating efforts in this vital task. We also recognize the effort and willingness of Dr. Albert Barume, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, for addressing this situation. We look forward to his next steps in response to this urgent and serious matter for the Indigenous Peoples of Panama.