Ethnic launched protests to demand to ban the construction of hydroelectric dams and mining in their regions.

• Both pledged to discuss in depth and draft a law concerning the mining and hydroelectric

When we sit down to dialogue we can achieve things, said Minister Papadimitriu

Panama, Panama (FEB/07/2012)-Panamanian indigenous who reject mining and hydroelectric dams in their territories and the Government agreed to start negotiations on the demands of the natives, which would end eight days of protests that left at least two dead.

“We won.” “The good will have reached the agreement San Lorenzo I”, announced the mediator and Bishop of Chiriquí, José Luis Lacunza, after more than six hours of negotiations between the Government and the indigenous leadership in the city of San Lorenzo, in the province of Chiriqui (West).

The Jimmy Papadimitriu Ministers (in the Presidency) and Jorge Fábrega (of Government), participated in the discussions and by indigenous cacique Silvia career and Rogelio Montezuma, leader of the Coordinating Committee for the protection and rights of people Ngöbe-Buglé.

“When we sit down to dialogue can achieve things,” said Papadimitriu, where Montezuma expressed will that the indigenous people and its goals “sleep in peace”.

The Government and the indigenous people undertook to “restart dialogue” face to discuss in depth and develop a law on mining and hydroelectric dams in the indigenous territories.

The Pact also stipulates the “immediate release of detainees” without them made posts and non-persecution indigenous leaders; compensation to the victims of the “police repression”; the withdrawal of riot police in areas in conflict and the end of the protests, among other points.

The Ngöbe Buglé people began January 30 protests, with blockades of strategic roads in the country, to demand that a project that debated the Congress prohibited the construction of hydroelectric dams and mining in their regions.

The Government said to be willing to ban mining in indigenous regions, but hydroelectric projects, because – says – this would not imply an overexpenditure annual 200 million dollars to the State to meet the energy demand difference still clear.

“My people won’t bend until there is no special law.” “We do not want hydroelectric and don’t want mine,” he reiterated career, who headed the indigenous delegation.

“We committed ourselves to ban mining within the region (and) we are prepared to discuss how you can protect water resources always and when without compromising national security or the energy security of the country”, said by his side Papadimitriu.

In the new phase of dialogue, the Catholic Church will continue to be mediator, while the Evangelical, the United Nations and the University of Panama will be observers.

On Sunday, riot police forcibly evicted blockades on roads and occurred heavy fighting, which killed an Indian and over fifty were injured and detained.

On Tuesday, as part of the protests, a 16-year-old girl died in facts not clarified in Chiriqui.

The President of the national coordinator of the indigenous peoples, Betanio Chiquitama, told AFP that the natives killed in these days would be three, although authorities only recognize two.

After the violent eviction followed clashes and Tuesday there were marches in the capital. Three police headquarters, several vehicles and facilities have been burned.

Between the blocked tracks was the Inter-American – which connects Panama and Costa Rica – which left hundreds of people studying for several days and shortages occurred in different areas.

The Inter-American Commission of human rights (IACHR), headquartered in Washington, urged the Government of Panama to guarantee the security of indigenous peoples and he noted its “obligation to clarify” the acts of violence.

From Geneva, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, also urged the Government to “ensure the safety” of the protesters and said that large projects of exploitation of natural resources have become an “abuse” the Indians in the world.