The ombudsmen of Colombia and Panama signed this Tuesday, May 10, 2022, a letter of understanding in order to promote and develop joint actions for the protection, prevention and guarantee of human rights in the legal and constitutional framework of both countries.
The document was signed by the Ombudsman of Panama, Eduardo Leblanc González and by the Ombudsman of Colombia, Carlos Ernesto Camargo Assis.
Among the clauses, the agreement states that both parties undertake to provide all necessary cooperation and support, within the limits of their constitutional and legal powers.
Both signatories also undertake to develop institutional strategies in the field of human rights, especially when they refer to the rights of migrants, promoting direct cooperation between “the parties”.
The document warns that both Colombia and Panama will carry out monitoring activities of risk scenarios in the border area, in order to issue a possible Binational Early Warning in accordance with the early warning system of the Ombudsman of Panama and the Colombian Ombudsman.
The parties also commit to carry out informative collaboration activities, in order to identify risk dynamics, threat factors and vulnerability in the border area, with the aim of strengthening the monitoring of human rights violations.
Among the commitments made, it is necessary to implement visit programs, internships and other technical-professional training activities, thus developing institutional cooperation in national and international forums.
The letter of understanding also promotes the exchange of work experiences through the joint implementation of programs of common interest, such as face-to-face and virtual courses, seminars, meetings, as well as publications and academic studies.
