Darien Gap

Resolution of the Indigenous Embera Wounaan and Kuna peoples of Panama at a national encounter to discuss extension of the Pan-American highway on May 8, 1994, in the community of Comun, Comarca Embera-Wounaan, Area of Cemaco.

Before the imminent threat against Indigenous culture, our congresses can not remain silent. We therefore resolve the following:

First: Reject the Projects that the Panamanian and Colombian Governments are discussing within the Good Neighbor Commission to Open the Darien Gap by building the Pan-American Highway.
Second: Demand the immediate suspension of studies being undertaken and that will be undertaken by the Panamanian and Colombian governments, to open the Darien Gap, which constitutes our Territories.
Third: In the case that they continue to meet to discuss the opening of the Darien Gap, we demand the participation of Indigenous Nations under equal conditions, to realize studies and Development Plans at a National and International level, that may affect our territories.
Fourth: Expand urgently the Indigenous Pan-American Highway Commission (Darien Gap), to include the following: a. A member and assistant of the General Congresses of the Embera-Wounaan and Kuna b. A member and assistant of Pucuro-Paya and the Oitcewd.
Fifth: Demand that the Multilateral Financing Agencies such as the Inter-American. Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank and others, suspend all credit for Studies and Projects in relation to the Opening of the Darien Gap and the participation of the Indigenous Nations in all Plans and Development Projects that will affect our, territories.
Sixth: Request the International Community and Solidarity Group to demand that Financing Agencies and the Panamanian and Colombian Governments give real participation to the indigenous Nat I ions regarding plans for the region.

Cacique Leonidas Valdez. Kuna General Congress.
Cacique Leopoldo Baporiso. Embera-Wounaan General Congress.
Cacique Benjamin Garcia. Madugandi General Congress.
Cacique Gilberto Ayala. Cacique of Paya.

For more information contact:

Clasmere Carpio IPAHC Coordinator, Hector Huertas, Legal advisor
Comisión Indígena Carretera Pan-American/ Centro de Asistencia Legal Popular (CEALP) Apartado Postal 6-5866. El Dorado, Panamá. Tel: (507) 23 53 51 Fax., (507) 64 65 29. or, Alicia Korten, Advisor, IPAHC /East 17th St., Apt. #5, New York., NY 1 0003 /Tel/ Fax: (212) 242-1901

Source: Abya Yala News (Journal of the South and Meso American Indian Rights Center, SAIIC), vol. 8, no. 1 & 2 (Summer 1994): 30.