More than 2,000 migrants in Panama are treated based on international agreements
A total of 2,470 people are served at Migratory Reception Stations (ERM), located in the Darien and Chiriquí provinces, after entering Panama illegally along the border.
According to the authorities, Panama maintains, since March when the pandemic caused by COVID-19, strict compliance with food, treatment, care and health needs to avoid a massive contagion of migrants who are in the ERM of La Peñita, Lajas Blancas and Bajo Chiquito, and another station in Los Planes de Gualaca in Chiriquí.
Responsibly, with the intention of helping them, a high-level meeting has been called to hear, once again, their requests and respond to this uncomfortable situation, said a statement.
Also like other countries, Panama adopted measures of restriction of mobility for nationals and foreigners before the coronavirus; In addition, priority attention has been given to those migrants who had to stay at local stations, due to the health situation.
Faced with this situation, the Government has invested $ 120,000 to increase the capacity of the ERM in Lajas Blancas, and negotiations are currently underway with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to build another one in Los Planes de Gualaca, which It will house 1,200 migrants.
The Panamanian State has fully respected the principle of non-refoulement to foreign persons, when their life, security or personal integrity is at risk. The National Migration Service (SNM), since the Declaration of the State of National Emergency, has not deported or expelled any foreigner from this country.
If they want to return to their country, these people must do so voluntarily and in compliance with the requirements established by law, under the so-called of “Voluntary Return”.
The population of more than 2,000 migrants receives the same food as the Senafront units (protein, rice and grains), which represents an outlay of $2,698,000.
They clarify that the Ombudsman's Office, like other organizations, have had no restrictions whatsoever to monitor the situation of the ERM. On the other hand, a Migrant Committee was formed, made up of those who master the basic languages spoken at the stations: Creole, French, English and Spanish.
Panama's actions are framed within international agreements and conventions on human rights and protection of the rights of persons, regardless of their immigration status, in accordance with the Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS); the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man and the American Convention on Human Rights.
Responsibly, with the intention of helping them, a high-level meeting has been called to hear, once again, their requests and respond to this uncomfortable situation, said a statement.
Also like other countries, Panama adopted measures of restriction of mobility for nationals and foreigners before the coronavirus; In addition, priority attention has been given to those migrants who had to stay at local stations, due to the health situation.
Faced with this situation, the Government has invested $ 120,000 to increase the capacity of the ERM in Lajas Blancas, and negotiations are currently underway with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to build another one in Los Planes de Gualaca, which It will house 1,200 migrants.
The Panamanian State has fully respected the principle of non-refoulement to foreign persons, when their life, security or personal integrity is at risk. The National Migration Service (SNM), since the Declaration of the State of National Emergency, has not deported or expelled any foreigner from this country.
If they want to return to their country, these people must do so voluntarily and in compliance with the requirements established by law, under the so-called of “Voluntary Return”.
The population of more than 2,000 migrants receives the same food as the Senafront units (protein, rice and grains), which represents an outlay of $2,698,000.
They clarify that the Ombudsman's Office, like other organizations, have had no restrictions whatsoever to monitor the situation of the ERM. On the other hand, a Migrant Committee was formed, made up of those who master the basic languages spoken at the stations: Creole, French, English and Spanish.
Panama's actions are framed within international agreements and conventions on human rights and protection of the rights of persons, regardless of their immigration status, in accordance with the Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS); the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man and the American Convention on Human Rights.