For the fourth time the government of Panama is trying to commercially
exploit the traditional habitat of the Ngobe-Bugle by developing the mining
industry in their area. Every time, the government ignores historical
petitions offered by the Ngobe-Bugle to protest against these hostile acts.
The Ngobe-Bugle people, who live in the frontier region with Colombia, have
been fighting for 22 years to get a territoral law (ley de la Comarca) that
would recognize their territorial integrity.
The government has granted the concession to the Canadian company Panacobre
(part of Tiomin Resources Inc.) to exploit the Cerro Colorado. It will have
devastating consecuences for the environment.
It is therefore necessary that the contract, granted to Panacobre and other
side contracts, not be honored.
We urge you to send protest letters to the following people. A sample
letter follows.
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Dr. Ernesto Perez Balladares
President of Panama
Panama 2, Panama
Fax (507) 227-0073
Nitzia de Villareal
Minister of Commerce and Industry
Apdo. Postal 9658, Zona 4
Panama
Fax (507) 227-5604
Dear Sir:
For the fourth time the government of Panama is trying to commercially
exploit the traditional habitat of the Ngobe-Bugle by developing the mining
industry.
It is necessary to recognize the territorial law (ley Comarca), giving them
their territorial integrity.
To grant mining concessions means a severe attack upon the conservation of
indigenous territories. It is a violation of the fundamental principles of
both the Panamanian constition and of ILO Convention 107, article 11,
signed by Panama.
I therefore ask you to annul Mining Exploitation Contract no.32, between
the Panamanian government and Panacobre.This contract will have devastating
consecuences on the environment and the traditional inhabitants, the
Ngobe-Bugle.
Yours respectfully,
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South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC)
P.O. Box 28703
Oakland CA, 94604
Phone: (510)834-4263 Fax: (510)834-4264
Email: saiic@igc.apc.org
Office: 1714 Franklin Street, 3rd Floor, Oakland
Home Page: http://www.igc.apc.org/saiic/saiic.html
For more information about SAIIC, send an empty email message to:
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