THE Ombudsman's Office and several civil society organizations  are "on alert" over attempts at intimidation against human rights defenders.

 The ombudsman, Alfredo Castillero Hoyos, said that he "worries" about the issue, and will hold a meeting with the human rights rapporteurs of the United Nations (UN) and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) ) On  December  2 during the the regular session of the commission  in Panama from November 29 to December 7.

Castillero Hoyos, says the meeting with Michel Forst, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, aims to create a "protocol" to protect activists.

"This protocol will indicate the steps to be taken as a country in the event of a person suffering harassment and threats," he said.

The official stressed that the Office of the Ombudsman evaluates cases such as threats to Ligia Arrega for defending the Matusagaratí wetland in Darien, attempts at intimidation against human rights defenders and the harassment of activist Larissa Duarte in Veraguas, who is fighting for the conservation of the Copper River, as well as the civil suit filed by Grupo Suárez against residents of Coco del Mar in San Francisco.

Panama's deputy mayor, Raisa Banfield, called these actions "lamentable" and said they are changing a number of rules that did not meet the needs of the population.

Magaly Castillo, of the Human Rights Network, said that the protocol is very "valuable".

Human rights defenders claim protection