Researcher ORCID Identifier
0009-0006-3722-5133
Graduation Year
2024
Date of Submission
4-2024
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Government
Reader 1
Professor William Ascher
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2024 Caruna P Gillespie
Abstract
Indigenous communities in Panamá face the same challenge that many Indigenous communities experience around the globe: a lack of recognition of their land rights. Over the last several decades, the Panamanian government has developed policies and ratified international agreements that recognize Indigenous rights. The comarcas that institutionalize these rights have had some success. However, despite a seemingly progressive framework for recognition, Indigenous communities across the country continuously have their rights violated by conservation projects and resource extraction efforts in the name of economic development. The Panamanian government crafts recognition policies using loopholes, exceptions, and ambiguous language that allow for them to become unfulfilled mandates. While Indigenous communities in Panamá are faced with significant barriers to obtaining full recognition of their rights, they can use elections, national and international litigation, activism, and external support to expand and advance social movements fighting for recognition.
Recommended Citation
Gillespie, Caruna and Ascher, William, "Pathways for Recognition: Indigenous Land Rights in Panamá" (2024). CMC Senior Theses. 3605.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/3605
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