PANAMA REFUGEE NEWS--UNHCR PERMANENT OFFICE,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PANAMA 000813 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE PASS FOR PRM/ENA/BLAKEMAN/IRIS WHA/CEN/BRIGHAM BOGOTA PASS FOR RAY LYNCH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PHUM PGOV CO PM LABOR HUMAN RIGHTSPOLMIL SUBJECT: PANAMA REFUGEE NEWS--UNHCR PERMANENT OFFICE, REFUGEE CENSUS, STATUS COMMISSION, PROPOSED CENTRALIZATION REF: 03 PANAMA 3271 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- 1) (SBU) On April 1, 2004, officials from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Government of Panama (GOP) agreed to the establishment of a permanent UNHCR office in Panama, capping many months of negotiation. The GOP, UNHCR, and the Government of Colombia (GOC) will conduct a joint census of the remaining Colombian refugees beginning April 7, 2004. The GOP is considering centralizing the remaining refugees in three Darien province towns through a voluntary process. The GOP's refugee status commission will meet May 27, 2004, but UNHCR wants the GOP to take a more flexible approach for granting refugees internal freedom of movement. Infrastructure and sustainable development projects under discussion will seek funding through the Department's Ambassador's fund and/or via UNHCR. End Summary. -------------- A PERMANENT HOME FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On April 1, 2004 the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Americas Director Hope Hanlon and UNHCR Panama director Gonzalo Vargas Llosa along with Minister of Foreign Relations Harmodio Arias signed an agreement establishing a permanent UNHCR Panama office. The UNHCR in Panama is now a fully independent and accredited UN agency. The Geneva-based Hanlon noted during an April 1 meeting with POL Counselor that the agreement placed no restrictions on the UNHCR or its operations. -------------- REFUGEE CENSUS, PROPOSED RELOCATION -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The GOP, the Government of Colombia (GOC) and UNHCR will conduct a joint census of the Colombian refugee population April 7, 2004. In addition, the GOP is proposing to relocate Colombian refugees to three Darien towns (Jaque, Puerto Obaldia, and El Real) to provide better security and social services. The GOC and UNHCR are adamant that relocations are voluntary. GOP refugee agency (ONPAR) director Harmodio Jimenez confirms all relocations must be voluntary. (NOTE: In all likelihood, very few refugees will want to be relocated. End Note.) It is unlikely there will be further repatriations of refugees to Colombia as neither government has expressed a desire to conduct one. -------------- PROPOSED PROJECTS -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Infrastructure and sustainable development projects will be proposed in the near future. Department's regional refugee coordinator is working with Embassy-Panama, UNHCR, and the GOP developing to develop project proposals to assist Darien communities with Colombian refugee populations. Some infrastructure projects (such as additions to a health center) could receive funding through the Department's Ambassador's fund. Sustainable development projects (such as job creation programs) would be supported via UNHCR special funding requests. Links to existing USAID programs will be considered to approve project effectiveness. -------------- FREE MOVEMENT OF REFUGEES IN PANAMA -------------- ¶5. (SBU) After an inconclusive March 2004 meeting of the GOP's refugees status commission, another commission hearing is scheduled for May 27, 2004. Panama's Migration Department remains a UNHCR concern. UNHCR believes some Migration officials are resisting fair and equitable refugee status decisions. As previously reported, (Ref A),some Migration officials still resist UNHCR's presence and believe there are significant security issues linked to the Colombian refugees. UNHCR believes it is unlikely that the refugee status commission will function effectively during the current administration due to Migration's "roadblocks." UNHCR believes the $600 (US) migrant processing fees, paid by all migrants, is limiting refugee case applications. The GOP insists the fee is a statutory requirement. (NOTE: A person with formal refugee status has the freedom to live and work anywhere in Panama. Persons without formal refugee status must get police permission for any travel, even to the next town. End Note.) -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Embassy Panama is pleased to report a dramatic turnaround in UNHCR and GOP relations and refugee affairs generally. During the past six months the GOP has conducted repatriations that comply with international norms, hired an ONPAR director truly interested in refugee issues, and built a close working relationship with UNHCR. Department support for crucial infrastructure and sustainable development projects will demonstrate USG's continued interest in refugee assistance and the Darien province. MCMULLEN