Panama presents significant achievements in the protection of children's rights before the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child

In an effort to strengthen the protection of children's rights, Panama submitted the First Report of the Second Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child before the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, in Geneva, Switzerland. addressing the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.  

 

The Panamanian delegation was led by the Minister of Social Development (MIDES), María Inés Castillo, who in her presentation highlighted the importance of a transparent and enriching dialogue with the Committee on the Rights of the Child, with the objective of receiving recommendations aimed at strengthen the application of the Protocol.

 

He explained that since 2012, Panama has established a Permanent National Commission in charge of supervising the commitments made regarding human rights, which has made it possible to quantify achievements and identify challenges. Through this Human Rights Commission, the Panamanian government, with the commitment to compliance with human rights, transparency and accountability, has presented seven (7) national reports before the bodies established under the human rights treaties. Human Rights of the United Nations, as well as four (4) reports before the Inter-American System for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. In addition, four (4) urgent appeals from the special procedures of the Human Rights Council have been responded to and visits have been received from three (3) independent experts.

 

In addition, the legal framework has been strengthened with Law 79 of 2011, on Human Trafficking and Related Activities, which establishes comprehensive policies to combat this scourge.

 

Among the advances presented - Minister Castillo indicated - the creation of Law 171 of 2020, on Comprehensive Protection of Early Childhood, stands out; and Law 285 of 2022, which establishes the System of Guarantees and Comprehensive Protection of the Rights of Children and Adolescents, among others.

 

Panama has also strengthened its institutional capacity with the creation of Provincial and Regional Committees for Children and Adolescents, Municipal Committees for the Protection of Children and Adolescents, and an Observatory against the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents.

 

Likewise, measures have been implemented to improve care for unaccompanied migrant children, the health of children and adolescents, and the identification and care of refugee children and those in need of international protection.