04/27/2004

This is a police check post in the border region of Panama. These exist every few miles up and down the roads and rivers.  This picture illustrates the connection in the border countries between security and Colombian asylum seekers, who in some cases are suspected as collaborators with the various armed groups.  The conflict in Colombia has spread into Panama, and the border region of Panama where most Colombians are situated has become a “red zone” or high security zone with a heavy military and police presence.  Both guerillas and paramilitaries are present in the border regions and have perpetrated attacks on Panamanian civilians and Colombian asylum seekers.  Civil society groups contend that refugee protection is not a high priority of the Panamanian government, and asylum seekers are routinely denied entry into Panama or repatriated against their will. UNHCR, after years of negotiation with the Government of Panama, has recently been invited to open an office in the country, but they are following a quiet approach in order not to alienate the government.