Position Paper for the 2017 ESMOAS Summit of the Americas

The Republic of Panama

Position Paper of the

Republic of Panama

General Statement

The Republic of Panama is honored to share this opportunity to participate in this year’s general assembly with so many fantastic delegations who care so deeply about securing the promises of democracy in the hemisphere. As a founding member of the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1948, Panama has held true to the principles outlined in the charter paying special attention to Article 3 sections(D) and (N) which state, respectively:

“The solidarity of the American States and the high aims which are sought through it require the political organization of those States on the basis of the effective exercise of representative democracy; The Education of peoples should be directed towards justice, freedom, and speech.”[i]

The Republic of Panama with Juan Carlos Varela holding the office of President would like to issue a decree on combating corruption as well as promoting democracy and education through the OAS member states. Democracy is an important aspect of today’s OAS Summit of Americas workshop and many steps must be taken to ensure citizens are given the right to proper representation at the will of the people. Despite the fact of having ousted the last dictator The Republic of Panama has taken various steps to ensure others do not follow suit allowing democracy to prosper.[ii] The anti-democratic ways of former dictator Manuel Noriega must never again surface in the world and it is this delegation’s will, to uphold democratic values.[iii] Democratic values are what allow our organization to strive for better success, it is through sheer representation that we are allowed to function as a whole making change for the better of the hemisphere.

The Republic of Panama also recognizes the need and drive for education in the hemisphere. The future of our tomorrow rests not with us, but the young men and women who drive our education systems. Our future leaders of the hemisphere must be able to strive and acquire a decent education allowing them to step into leading roles for today’s tomorrow. The adult literacy rates for the time we call modern age are astonishing and change must come fast. The quest of knowledge should never come with a price tag. Education is a key component of Panamanian politics and believes it should be a key component to the hemisphere. It is through knowledge that each and every member state will continue to strive and prosper.

Democracy and Education are fundamental rights that should be held dear to each and every individual not only in the hemisphere but also around the world. It is through these values that will allow our nation states to strive for the betterment and success of the people, the people we represent ever so wholeheartedly. The Republic of Panama will stand with whoever represents such values in the face of opposition; because the delegation believes in building bridges not burning them.

Particular Statements

Committee: General Committee (GC)

Topic One: Strengthening and Improving the Reach of the Inter-American Convention against Racism

The Republic of Panama strongly condemns racism in any shape or form.The Republic of Panama understands truly and wholly that segregation and racism are still very much problems in the world today. The delegation also notes that racism runs more rampant towards countries that have higher indigenous populations.[iv] The delegation would like to note that in history when European countries took control of indigenous areas, it segregated an indigenous people and that segregation still lingers to an extent today.[v] The delegation would like to point out some OAS members are now identifying as multicultural and asking people to self-identify as Indigenous or Afro- American.[vi] This shows that member states are taking action and noticing trends of majority and minority people in their regions.

The Republic of Panama would like to note its roots of racism date all the way back to the early 1900s. The delegation would like to note during the construction of the Panama Canal American and European workers were paid in gold, while Indian and Latino workers were paid in a lesser value showing the first signs of racism in the country.[vii]“The Constitution prohibits either special privileges or discrimination on the basis of race, birth status, social class, sex, or political views. A 2002 law specifically prohibits discrimination and any kind of "right of admission" to any public or commercial establishment and sets fines from $250 to $1,000.”[viii] The Republic of Panama exacts heavy tolls on any business or person who segregates another human being based upon race, status, class, sex, or political view.

The Republic of Panama would like to propose an extra form of cooperation amongst the youth through the education sector. The delegation would like to point out racism is a trait that is taught not given by birth. It is this delegation’s belief that if you can bring children together at a young age to cooperate with one another during school hours that over time member states will begin to see a change of attitude towards racism over generations. The delegate proposes a special class that is taught during the elementary and middle school sectors that promotes the interaction of youth with all backgrounds and not be limited to one or two races. It is through this program that youth will be able to formulate their own ideas and beliefs about peers and classmates and not form the negative opinions taught by parents and predecessors.

B. Committee: Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI)

Topic One: Promotion of the Rights of People in Vulnerable Situations

The Republic of Panama recognizes the need for protection of vulnerable persons across the OAS. The Delegation supports this goal with article 17 of the 1972 Constitution of Panama states, “The authorities of the republic are established for the purpose of protecting the lives, honor and property of all nationals, wherever they may be, and of aliens who are under the Republic’s jurisdiction, of ensuring the effectiveness of individual and social rights…[ix]” The Republic of Panama included these provisions within its constitution to protect and ensure with solidity in writing to all persons under its jurisdiction. The United Nations in its Compilation Of International Norms and Standards defines vulnerable persons as pregnant women, children, the elderly, the disabled, indigenous peoples, ethnic minorities, the poor, and migrant workers[x]. These groups have been identified because of their high potential for exploitation. These people need the protection of governmental bodies because they cannot support themselves sufficiently enough to avoid exploitation.

Keeping in mind the groups listed above the Delegation of Panama is suggesting the implementation and election of a Human Rights Ambassador to the OAS for each member country. The ambassador would serve as a direct link between a countries human rights network and the OAS. This person would be charged with upholding the rights and privileges of not just vulnerable people but all people within the respective nation’s borders. The person would serve as an independent allowed to report on their countries issues and progress to the body.

The new ambassador will be charged with not only upholding standards set forth by the OAS but also making sure all persons will be held accountable for their actions against all vulnerable persons. According to the IACHR, It is the duty of “The States Parties undertake to ensure that the victims of discrimination and intolerance receive equitable and non-discriminatory treatment, equal access to the justice system, expeditious and effective proceedings, and fair compensation in the civil or criminal sphere, as applicable.[xi]” The OAS has and will continue to be a body focused on the protection of all individuals within its borders and ensure a fair and equal treatment under the law.

Topic 2: Public Policies for Improving Workers’ and Employers’ Rights

The Republic of Panama commends the efforts of the OAS member-states to improve the rights of the workers and employers in each respective nation. The Republic of Panama acknowledges the importance of proper rights for both the workers as well as the employers and the effect inadequate public policies can have on the future of the Hemisphere. As workers and employers make up the economy of every nation, it is imperative that proper public policies are created so that these individuals can continue to build up the economies of their nation. Improper rights are obstacles to the prolonged development of the Hemisphere, and The Republic of Panama, as well as other like-minded member-states, is proud of its efforts to improve such rights for both workers and employers.

In an effort to provide improved rights to both workers and employers, The Republic of Panama actively participates in efforts to continually improve the rights for both workers and employers. One example is The Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development, or Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral, commonly referred to as MITRADEL. The MITRADEL is responsible for creating and enforcing employment policies, promoting harmonious labor relations, and overseeing compliance with labor law in Panama.[xii] From July 2014 to May 2017, The MITRADEL has resulted in 170,640 work placements and has put 1,773 people with disabilities into the labor market.[xiii] In addition to the MITRADEL, The Republic of Panama also utilizes The National Labor Inspectorate, or Dirección Nacional de Inspección del Trabajo, commonly referred to as DNIT. The DNIT conducts labor inspections to ensure employer compliance with Panama’s labor laws. In 2010, the DNIT employed 116 inspectors that conducted 18,524 inspections.[xiv] The Republic of Panama has benefited greatly from the work both the MITRADEL and the DNIT have contributed to the improvement of workers’ and employers’ rights.

Bearing in mind the success of current organizations, The Delegation of Panama also wishes to acknowledge their limitations. Organizations such as MITRADEL and DNIT have provided benefits to Panama, their goals are broad. The Delegation of Panama thanks these organizations and vows their continuous implementation, however hoped to draw the attention of fellow member states to other alternative routes to improve workers’ and employers’ rights. Specifically, The Delegation of Panama proposes that member states contemplate and promote the protection of children from child labor, particularly through the addition of a class to the high school curriculum where students are taught a skill.

According to studies, child labor is quite common in Panama and the OAS as a whole.[xv]"In Panama alone, 5.6% of the population is involved in child labor."While there are laws addressing child labor, many children are still involved in such labor, some dropping out of school to work for their family.[xvi] With so many young and uneducated workers, the unemployment rate for skilled workers is negative, meaning that there is a shortage of skilled workers.[xvii] To keep children in school and out of the workforce at such a young age, it is important to give children the opportunity to go to school while also learning a skill they can profit from immediately, as well as in the future.

The Delegation of Panama encourages all OAS member-states to consider the addition of a class to high school curriculum in order to teach students a skill to protect children from child labor while increasing skilled labor. This addition improves workers’ rights through the protection from child labor, while also improving employers’ rights by increasing their number of skilled workers. The Republic of Panama acknowledges that other member-states have public policies in place to combat child labor, however this Delegation urges all member-states to consider the positive affects support of this implementation would create.

C: Committee: Secretariat for Multidimensional Security (SMS)

Topic 1: New Programs to Help Combat or Prevent Transnational Organized Crime

The Republic of Panama praises the OAS for its ongoing strive for peace among all member states and around the world. The Republic of Panama recognizes that there is concern for the safety of all member states and their citizens when battling trans-national crime. Identifying the crimes that are being committed and unearthing a suitable strategy to prevent these crimes is the highest priority of the Americas. As stated in the Charter of the Organization of American States in Chapter I, Article II, “The organization of American States, in order to put into practice, the principles on which it is founded and to fulfill its regional obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, proclaims the following essential purposes, “To strengthen the peace and security of the continent;”[xviii]

To many, peace is what enables development and is critical in providing opportunities to young people. To some – especially those from regions involved in conflict – peacekeeping and efforts to preserve peace are absolutely vital in bringing prosperity and hope for a future.”[xix]

While the America’s are always aiming to be prosperous and successful in bringing peace and security to their states and their citizens, conflict is often inevitable and the most important figure in protecting the OAS people are the governing bodies of each state. Fighting the ever-present manifestation of transnational crime in the Republic of Panama and the Organization of American States is principal to its foundation and an imperative part of what goes on in the multidimensional security committee. Knowing this, the Republic of Panama proposes that ‘OAS Guardians’ be implemented in the foundation of the OAS’s endeavors to protect the peace and security of the American States. Recognizing that all of the States in the OAS believe in the prominence of unalienable rights that each citizen under the OAS possesses, the Republic of Panama professes that OAS Guardians would be a way for the America’s to not just pass laws that protect its people, but to truly be able to send real peacekeepers to defend their citizens and help protect the OAS when called upon. As stated in the Organization of the American States Charter in Chapter XII, Article 45, Subsection a, “All human beings, without distinction as to race, sex, nationality, creed, or social condition, have a right to material well-being and to their spiritual development, under circumstances of liberty, dignity, equality of opportunity, and economic security;” [xx]

The Republic of Panama, being a nation with no standing armies or bodies to help in the fight against transnational crime, envisions the enactment of OAS Guardians as a momentous resource that can be used. So, Panama or any American state that calls upon the Guardians can acquire help through protection, surveillance, relief, aid, or any other means of assistance that is needed by a state.

The Republic of Panama regards other organizations such as the European Union and the United Nations who have parallel goals with the OAS in desiring peace and security in their nations, both of which have developed similar bodies and have received numerous amounts of success since their implementation. In 1948, the UN enacted its first Peacekeeping mission “in the Middle East to observe and maintain the ceasefire during the Arab-Israeli War. Since then, United Nations peacekeepers have taken apart in a total of 63 missions around the globe, 17 of which continue today. The peacekeeper force as a whole received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.[xxi] Taking into consideration the success of these programs, the Republic of Panama is confident that implementing OAS Guardians will benefit all of the Americas in strive for amity and safety.

Topic 2- Strengthening and Increasing Hemispheric Agreements on Disarmament and Non- Proliferation

The Republic of Panama is heavily dedicated to peace. With no standing army, The Republic of Panama considers itself a “Non-Aggressor” and hopes that it can inspire this sort of spirit, not only throughout the hemisphere, but ultimately the globe. Though majority of the member states do not actually hold any nuclear arms, these devices only serve to threaten the globe no matter who the proprietor maybe. Though it is within the sovereign rights of individual states to arms themselves in whatever they see fit, however it is to the understanding of the delegation of panama that not only do nations across the world arm themselves with nuclear arms, many nations have begun to harvest the power of nuclear energy. Multiple nations across the Western Hemisphere hold uranium deposits, nuclear reactors, and nuclear research facilities.

With all this being stated, The Republic of Panama praises the OAS and it drive towards negotiating terms and agreements of disarmament and non-proliferation. However, the Delegation of Panama would like to bring to notice Chapter I, Article II of The Charter of the Organization of American States, “The Organization of American States, in order to put into practice, the principles on which it is founded and to fulfill its regional obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, proclaims the following essential purposes, “To strengthen the peace and security of the continent;” [xxii]