A SCATTERING  of CD Party members led by the former first lady, Marta Martinelli  demonstrated in front of the the Radisson Decápolis hotel on Tuesday November 29 as President Juan Carlos Varela inaugurated a session of the Inter­American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR)

The meeting is being held in Panama through Dec. 7.

Martinelli’s husband , former president Ricardo Martinelli  fled the country nearly two years ago to avoid corruption charges and other members of his administration  or  inner circle have followed suit or are awaiting  trial on  multiple corruption indictments.

During the opening ceremony, Varela said that Panama is a country respectful of human rights that has in 27 years of democracy  begun a path “towards full compliance with our obligations”

He  said that the country has made "positive changes" in freedom  of expression, and with regard to relations with trade unions and indigenous peoples.

Meanwhile, outside the CD protestors returned to chanting their “political persecution” mantra, because of the criminal charges levied against  former administrators.