Panama, October 19 (EFE).- The Office of the Ombudsman of Panama on Thursday urged the population to demonstrate “peacefully, without affecting third parties or private properties”, as part of a wave of protests against a controversial mining contract, which closed the country’s main roads and led to clashes with the police.

“Given the public demonstrations taking place in different neighborhoods of the capital, to exercise the universal right to demonstrate; “The Office of the Ombudsman of Panama urges you to exercise this right peacefully, without harming third parties or private property,” said a statement from the Office of the Ombudsman of Panama.

Although he recognizes that “social struggles or achievements have historically developed actions so that their voices are heard”, he emphasizes that “the path of dialogue, to reach an understanding that promotes a culture of peace, has been consolidated as the best tool to overcome social conflicts.

The Office of the Ombudsman reiterated that “there are multiple national and international legal mechanisms to redress possible human rights violations and that it is imperative to equally preserve access to rights for all residents: health, education and work, without prejudice to the legitimate right to demonstrate.” .

Panama’s National Assembly (Parliament) is debating a controversial new contract this week between the state and Minera Panamá, a subsidiary of Canadian company First Quantum Minerals (FQM), to operate the country’s largest open-cast copper mine from Central America.

Environmentalists, unions, students and organized civil society demonstrated outside the Parliament building as well as in other parts of the country to express their rejection by blocking main roads in tense demonstrations that culminated in clashes with the police.

Yesterday, MPs approved this criticized mining pact during the first of three obligatory debates and this Thursday the discussion is expected to advance in Parliament. In this context, the demonstrators announced that they would intensify their protests.

In September, Parliament suspended the first debate and returned the law contract to the Executive of Laurentino Cortizo with some suggestions to modify certain points. After the government made these changes, described as “make-up” by environmentalists and unions, Parliament resumed the debate.

Last March, the Executive and the mining company reached a final agreement, after tough negotiations, on the 20-year extendable concession contract for the exploitation of the Cobre Panamá mine with a minimum annual income of 375 million dollars for the public treasury and broad state supervisory powers over the operation, among others.