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The Latin American and Caribbean Coordinating Committee of the World Organization of Workers CLAC-WOW addresses itself to the international organizations that defend and protect the fundamental rights of the human person, to the democratic governmental regimes and, in particular, to the trade unions and workers‘ guilds in general, to denounce and demand their pronouncement, in the face of the serious events that are disrespecting the universally <\/span>recognised<\/span> Right to <\/span>Organise<\/span> and the Right to Strike, at the same time that repressive actions are being perpetrated against the workers of the sister republic of Panama, putting at risk the physical integrity and the lives of those who, for more than 60 days, have been demanding in justice the restitution of the social rights to which they are entitled.<\/span><\/p>\n It should be noted that the right to <\/span>organise<\/span>, the right to strike and the non-<\/span>criminalisation<\/span> of social protest, for the right of access to information and, consequently, the free exercise of freedom of expression are the reasons why the trade union movement, popular, educators, students and native peoples have been on strike for more than 2 months, as a protest measure for the repeal of Law 462 that modifies the Organic Law 51 of the Social Security Fund, which violates the minimum amount of workers‘ pensions; Also against the memorandum of understanding with the government of the United States, in which Panama cedes territorial space to this nation; against the reactivation of mining activity, declared unconstitutional in the year 2023, and for the right of access to information and a free and independent press.<\/span><\/p>\n After the elapsed time of strike, struggle and protest in the streets, at the national level, the government of President Jos\u00e9 Ra\u00fal Mulino, by Executive Cabinet Decree No. 27 of June 20, 2025 and in attention to the provisions of Article 55 of the Political Constitution of the Republic of Panama and published in the Official Digital Gazette No. 30305, of Friday, June 20, 2025 and an erratum in the Official Digital Gazette No. 30305-A, ordered the suspension of constitutional guarantees for the province of Bocas del Toro, the province of Bocas del Toro, and the province of Bocas del Toro. 30305, of Friday June 20, 2025 and an erratum in the Official Digital Gazette No. 30305-A, ordered the suspension of constitutional guarantees for the province of Bocas del Toro, mostly composed of indigenous peoples, for 5 days which expired this Tuesday June 24, 2025. <\/span><\/p>\n The suspension of guarantees included the cutting of all forms of communication (telephone, radio, satellite and suspension of internet service in all its forms), thus limiting the right of access to information and submerging the Panamanian population to information emanating only from the national government. <\/span><\/p>\n During the days of struggle, the media companies maliciously conceal the truth of the events by bowing to the power of the executive. Here it is appropriate to point out that the media narrative, which has been joined by some digital media and the misnamed influencers, is placed on the government’s agenda, adding to the labelling of the demonstrators as terrorists, criminals, gangsters, communists, and there is little balanced information about what is happening in the region.<\/span><\/p>\n The media’s <\/span>behaviour<\/span> has led to journalists being attacked both by demonstrators, who brand them as traitors, and by repressive government forces. Some digital media have been afraid to publish information about what is happening in the demonstrations, following the government’s threat of criminal prosecution for inciting public disorder. <\/span><\/p>\n Since its installation, the Panamanian government has violated the right to strike and to <\/span>organise<\/span>, enshrined in ILO Convention 87, to which Panama is a signatory, persecuting trade unions and trade union leaders, labelling them as mafiosi and terrorists, even <\/span>criminalising<\/span> social protest and prosecuting the leaders of these protests. <\/span><\/p>\n As a result of these days of struggle, more than twenty union, trade union and popular leaders have been arrested and criminally prosecuted, while others have requested political asylum in <\/span>neighbouring<\/span> countries. <\/span><\/p>\n In view of these condemnable events, the Latin American and Caribbean Coordinating Committee of the World Organization of Workers CLAC-WOW, urges the Panamanian government to respect the <\/span>labour<\/span>, social and human rights of the people in struggle, such as the right to organize, to strike, to the human rights of the native peoples, to the non-judicialization of social protest and to guarantee the safety of journalists during the coverage of these protests.<\/span><\/p>\n