A/HRC/16/6 58. Trinidad and Tobago acknowledged that Panama was one of the few countries with delimited areas for exclusive occupation by indigenous groups and encouraged the Government to protect the cultural identity and traditional knowledge systems of indigenous people. It noted with satisfaction legislative and practical action taken by Panama to reorient its society towards a more environmentally sustainable future. It commended the establishment of the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman. Trinidad and Tobago noted with concern the problem of trafficking in women and girls and encouraged Panama to take the necessary actions in that regard. It made recommendations. 59. Jamaica welcomed Panama for having engaged in consultations with relevant stakeholders in the preparation of its national report, and commended its efforts to promote and protect the rights of the most vulnerable groups in its population. It also noted that nearly half of the 2010 budget was allocated to social expenditure, and praised the establishment of the 2010-2014 Strategic Plan addressing the problems of vulnerable groups and providing programmes to assist persons with disabilities in entering the labour market. Finally, Jamaica encouraged Panama to continue its efforts and achieve the Millennium Development Goal on education. Jamaica made a recommendation. 60. Bangladesh described poverty and uneven distribution of wealth as one of the most pressing problems of Panama, and noted that a number of policy plans had been undertaken to address them, including the 2009-2015 Food and Nutrition Security Plan and the “Opportunity network” conditional cash transfer. It commended Panama for focusing on the protection of the family, women and children, through establishments in its institutional framework. Referring to treaty bodies’ conclusions, Bangladesh suggested that Panama needed to increase its efforts to guarantee basic services related to health and food. Finally, it expressed concern at the number of women and children victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation. Bangladesh made recommendations. 61. Nigeria acknowledged Panama’s ratification of core human rights instruments and welcomed the adoption of the new Penal Code in 2008 and the repeal of contempt laws. Nigeria also acknowledged the adoption of the law on domestic violence and of legislative and administrative measures to prevent the stigmatization of and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. It recognized that Panama faced pressing problems in the implementation of its agenda on human rights, and called on the international community to support the country’s efforts. Nigeria made recommendations. 62. Haiti welcomed the presentation of Panama’s national report, which outlined the progress made and the difficulties encountered in promoting and protecting human rights. It congratulated Panama on being in the process of achieving the Millennium Development Goal relating to education. Haiti referred to the fact that the Panamanian Criminal Code provided for a 30-year sentence for a homicide committed for discriminatory and racist reasons, and asked whether Panama had statistics regarding the persons convicted of this crime. Haiti made recommendations. 63. Responding to other questions raised during the interactive dialogue, the delegation of Panama recalled that since 2005, a reform of the administration of justice had been ongoing, with the participation of all stakeholders. It had achieved approximately 75 per cent of its targets. The delegation provided information about a draft law to establish a special jurisdiction for human rights and about measures to reduce the use of pre-trial detention and overcrowding in penitentiary facilities. It also noted that Panama’s legislation provided for the use of measures alternative to pre-trial detention that were being used. In addition, in 2007 Panama had adopted a new Criminal Procedural Law that would progressively enter into force beginning in 2011. The new system would significantly reduce the use of pre-trial detention. 11

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