More than twenty countries have urged Panama to enhance legal protections for its LGBTQ citizens. The recommendations came during Panama’s Universal Periodic Review before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Nations including Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Iceland, and Australia called for specific legal reforms.<\/p>\n
The session, focused on Panama’s human rights record<\/a>. A primary demand was the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories within the country’s existing anti-discrimination law, Law 7 of 2018. Several countries also pressed for administrative, safe, and self-determination based procedures for legal gender recognition.<\/p>\n The Fundaci\u00f3n Iguales organization acknowledged some progress by the Panamanian state. It also described current measures as fundamentally insufficient. The group, represented by lawyer and researcher \u00c1ngel Garay, addressed the council directly during pre-sessions in Geneva.<\/p>\n Garay\u2019s presentation detailed the severe consequences of the legal system\u2019s failure to recognize same-sex partnerships. He argued this omission leads to violations of fundamental rights related to family, inheritance, health, and pensions. The foundation\u2019s statement was unequivocal about the impact of this legal void.<\/p>\n This legal invisibility reinforces unequal treatment contrary to the constitutional principle of equality, [Translated from Spanish] the organization stated.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Fundaci\u00f3n Iguales further highlighted the absence of a rigorous regulatory framework to prevent discrimination. It called for laws that would promote substantive equality for all Panamanians, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.<\/p>\n The international recommendations extended beyond anti-discrimination law. Several states advised Panama to strengthen protections for all minorities and to ratify international instruments that specifically safeguard LGBTQ rights. This show of global consensus places significant diplomatic weight on the Panamanian government to act.<\/p>\n Fundaci\u00f3n Iguales expressed appreciation for the coherent stance taken by the recommending nations. It also urged the Panamanian state to clearly differentiate between public health policies, such as those concerning HIV, and advancements in civil rights. This distinction, the group believes, is crucial to prevent confusion about the scope of rights recognition.<\/p>\n The organization specifically called upon Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take a leading role. It asked the ministry to act as a liaison between state institutions and civil society to implement the commitments made during the Universal Periodic Review<\/a>.<\/p>\n It is time to move from paper to reality, to honor the Panamanian tradition of respect for international law, [Translated from Spanish] Fundaci\u00f3n Iguales emphasized.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n This direct appeal underscores the gap between international pledges and domestic action. The ball is now in Panama\u2019s court to demonstrate its commitment to human rights for all its citizens through tangible legal and policy changes.<\/p>\nCivil Society Highlights Legal Gaps<\/h2>\n
Broad International Consensus for Reform<\/h2>\n