Thanks and congratulations to everyone who sent letters and emails to Panamanian government officials! Pressured by human rights and labor organizations within Panama and by our letters from outside, President Martinelli and the National Assembly revoked Law # 30. The consequences are very significant: the requirement for environmental impact studies on all proposed development project is restored; the right to strike is restored; and Panamanian police will be held accountable for actions that violate human rights. Now we need to persuade President Martinelli to revoke his Executive Decree #537. Please see the model letter or send an email today. Let’s keep the pressure on!
Feliciano Santos Santos (left)"The Ngobe community thanks Global Response/Cultural Survival very much for your support and solidarity in the successful campaign to revoke Law # 30 which caused so much pain and suffering to our families in Bocas del Toro. This is a cause for celebration! But at the same time the government is imposing executive decree # 537 which modifies the charter of our Ngobe-Bugle territory. Based on this decree, they organized elections this past October 24 that the Ngobe and Bugle peoples soundly rejected. So we are asking you to keep writing letters to President Ricardo Martinelli, urging him to revoke executive decree #537 and to recognize our people's right to free, prior, and informed consent for any project that would affect our lives and lands. We deeply appreciate your solidarity."
--Feliciano Santos Santos, Movement for the Defense of the Territories and Ecosystems of Bocas del Toro, Panama (MODETEB)
