BRIEFS. national

OAS opens rights and dignity office

The secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza, yesterday opened an office in Panama for ensuring the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. The office will be located in the house at 1007 La Boca, Ancon, and implement a 10.year plan with the possibility of extending it for another 10 years.

The new office will carry out the work of the Program of Action for the Decade of the Americas for the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, which was adopted at the meeting of the OAS General Assembly, held in June 2007 in Panama. Eneida Ferrer, who is in charge of the office, said that it will function with an annual budget of $300,000 during the first two years, but that she will also seek voluntary contributions for implementing the various projects.