Mining code changes get a fast nod from legislators

(PanamaNewsRoom) Changes to Panama’s mining code got a fast nod from the National Assembly during the first debate.

Article after article  got the rubber stamp, lending credence to the “window dressing” claim over the presentations by dozens of human rights and environmental groups and indigenous spokesmen from the Ngäbe-Buglé region. Critics claimed that the bill, touted by President Ricardo Martinelli months before was a done deal.

During the discussion of the draft law, members of the Democratic Revolutionary Party submitted a proposed amendment, which was not approved.

The bill contains 25 articles, of which 24 were approved on Tuesday February 1.

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Original Source: PanamaNewsRoom

Date Retrieved: February 3, 2011