IACHR Presents Observations from its Working Visit to Panama on Persons on Human Mobility

April 1, 2025

Washington, DC— The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) presents its observations (available in Spanish) on the working visit to Panama, which took place between February 10 and 13, 2025. The objective of the visit was to observe the situation of people in the context of human mobility in transit through Panama, from a regional perspective, as well as to receive information on the measures adopted by the State for the protection of the human rights of this population.

The delegation was led by Commissioners Gloria Monique de Mees, Rapporteur for Panama, and Andrea Pochak, Rapporteur for Human Mobility, accompanied by specialists from the Executive Secretariat. During the four days of the visit, the IACHR was present in Panama City and traveled to the Province of Darién and the Emberá-Wounaan Region, where it visited places of transit for migrants and others in the context of human mobility. This is the first time that the IACHR has visited this region, which has gained global relevance due to the continuous transit of people through the jungle.

The Commission visited, without restrictions, the Temporary Migrant Reception Stations (ETRM) of Lajas Blancas and San Vicente in the Province of Darién, as well as the Male Administrative Detention Center in Panama City, and interviewed persons in human mobility. Similarly, the delegation visited the transitional shelter for unaccompanied children in human mobility, called La Casita. It also visited the Bajo Chiquito indigenous community, in the Emberá-Wounaan region, where the delegation was able to observe the dynamics of the community and the State's response to the transit of people.

In total, the IACHR held 12 meetings with high-level authorities and representatives of the Executive Branch, the Attorney General's Office, the Ombudsman's Office, with different civil society organizations, representatives of indigenous communities, human rights defenders, persons in human mobility, and United Nations agencies.

The IACHR appreciates the invitation of Panama to carry out this working visit to the country, as well as all the logistical facilities provided. It also recognizes the extensive information provided by the State authorities. The Commission welcomes Panama's commitment to continue prioritizing the human rights agenda and encourages all public authorities in Panama to work together to achieve that end.

The IACHR also appreciates the information provided by civil society organizations, and thanks the people who trusted and came forward to provide their testimonies. The Commission recalls that, pursuant to Article 56 of its Rules of Procedure, the State has the duty not to take reprisals of any kind against persons or entities that have cooperated with it during the visit through information or testimony. At the same time, it recognizes the valuable support provided by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for this visit.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate derives from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is composed of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 066/25

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