PANAMA: NOMINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMAN OF

UNCLAS PANAMA 000230

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR G/IWI AND WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN PHUM PREL KPAO PM
SUBJECT: PANAMA: NOMINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMAN OF
COURAGE AWARD

REF: STATE 12871


1. (U) Per reftel instructions, Embassy Panama is pleased to
nominate Angelica Maytin for the Secretary of State's Award
for International Women of Courage (IWOC).


2. (SBU) Biographical information and justification
statement for Ms. Maytin follow:

Name: Angelica Maytin Justiniani
Title: Executive Director
Institution: Transparency International Panama chapter-
Fundacion para el Desarrollo de la Libertad Ciudadana
(Foundation for the Development of Civic Freedom)
Contact information: 507-223-4120


3. (U) Angelica Maytin rates is Panama's foremost advocate
for transparency and good governance in Panama. In a country
where corruption consistently rates among the public's top
concerns, Maytin's efforts are pivotal in raising public
consciousness of corruption and encouraging civil society to
fight for transparency.


4. (U) Maytin has worked for most of her adult life to
improve good governance in Panama. She started working for
the Panama branch of Transparency International as a
volunteer in 1996 and now serves as Executive Director of the
chapter. Besides her work with Transparency International,
Maytin participated in numerous regional, governmental, and
non-governmental programs that emphasize transparency and
human rights. These endeavors include serving as a judge for
labor issues with the Panama Canal Authority, monitoring the
2006 Canal expansion referendum, and contributing to the
Organization of American States' proposals to Panama as part
of the InterAmerican Convention against Corruption. Maytin
has also served as a consultant for USAID, the UN Development
Program, and the International Foundation for Electoral
Systems (IFES).


5. (U) When President Torrijos formed the 10-member National
Transparency Council in 2005 as part of his anti-corruption
platform, Maytin was an obvious choice for inclusion.
However, in September 2006 Maytin took the bold step of
resigning from the Council to protest the Council's
"ineffectiveness" and lack of action. By walking away --
despite significant pressure from the Torrijos Administration
to remain on the Council -- Maytin sent a strong signal to
the public and the government that the GOP's anti-corruption
efforts were not advancing as expected; we concur with her
assessment. Since her resignation, Maytin continues to be an
active voice for transparency, calling on the GOP to make
good on its anti-corruption pledges and urging the public to
take a stand on demanding good governance.


6. (U) Maytin's tireless efforts on behalf of transparency
and good governance demonstrate "outstanding courage and
leadership." Through the work of Maytin and her fellow
activists, the fight against corruption has taken hold in the
public consciousness. Corruption is no longer accepted by
the Panamanian people as a normal government practice. For
her efforts on behalf of transparency, good governance, and
democracy, we are happy to nominate Angelica Maytin as an
International Woman of Courage.


7. (U) Embassy Panama's officer following women's issues is
Carrie Lee. She can be reached at 507-207-7131 or via email
at LeeCK2@state.gov.

Arreaga