Varela inaugurates Human Rights Commission

Tuesday November 29th, President Juan Carlos Varela inaugurated the session of the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights that is being held in Panama City.

The event is taking place at the Radisson Decapolis hotel through to December 7th.

Varela explained during the opening ceremony that “Panama is a country respectful of human rights. In 27 years of democracy we have begun a path towards full compliance with our obligations in this matter.”

President Varela said that the country has made changes towards greater freedom and personal expression, both in regards to trade unions and Panama’s indigenous population. The president added that Panama is interested in developing and strengthening the protection of human rights.

La prensa reported today that before the inaugural event began the CD party protested outside the hotel. The protesters, who included Ricardo and Matra Martinelli, were protesting the current government who they said were “prosecuting members of the previous government.”