Panamanians Denounce Death of Embera Teen During Police Crackdown
Panamanian security forces detain indigenous people, May 2025. X/ @RetenChiriqui
June 2, 2025 Hour: 12:42 pm
The incident occurred as Panamanian police violently cracked down on Indigenous communities protesting against Law 462.
On Sunday, the General Congress of Guna Yala, a member organization of the National Coordinating Body of Indigenous Peoples of Panama (COONAPIP), denounced that an Embera teenager died after being struck in the head by pellets.
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The incident occurred as Panamanian police violently cracked down on Indigenous communities protesting against Law 462, which they say violates workers’ rights.
Since April 23, teachers, health workers, students and Indigenous groups have been on an indefinite strike demanding the repeal of the law, arguing that it paves the way for the privatization of the Social Security Fund.
Below is the full statement issued by the General Congress of Guna Yala:
“The latest developments surrounding the protests by Indigenous peoples, who have joined the national demonstrations, have now reached levels that completely fracture Panama’s democratic system and violate human rights.
The security forces, acting under orders from the highest levels of government, have gone out to kill—an attitude only found in dictatorial systems and assumed here without remorse.
Today, once again, our Embera brothers from Arimae have been subjected to a violent crackdown, during which a young person lost his life after being hit by pellets fired by members of the riot police and the National Border Service (SENAFRONT).
This incident joins other episodes in which members of the Ngäbe-Bugle community have been affected, including children who have been injured by the repression—repression that is not only physical.
Just like in dictatorial governments, authorities are now using the justice system to suppress legitimate protests, which are part of the people’s right to express their rejection of anti-popular measures. They imprison Indigenous leaders as a tactic of intimidation.
However, the people are born free, and the so-called civilian leader in the Palacio de las Garzas should know that.
We call on the Ombudsman’s Office, national human rights organizations, the Church and other international human rights bodies to fulfill their roles in the face of the government’s actions.
Today more than ever, the persecution of Indigenous leaders has intensified. The government seeks to criminalize protests to justify its violations—a policy that ended up killing an Embera child. Currently, five Embera leaders are facing legal proceedings in blatant violation of the justice system.
In recent hours, Embera communities have been forced to retreat into remote areas to escape the assault by riot police. Children and women have embarked on an exodus that violates their human rights to live in safety and freedom.
Enough repression! Justice for those who have been killed.”
teleSUR/ JF
Source: Onmagged Dummad