International Lawyer Iván Chanis: ‘In Panama, Time Stood Still’
Iván Chanis is an international lawyer. He served as political and legal advisor to the Permanent Mission of Panama to the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington for nearly eight years. Today he chairs the Iguales Foundation.
Iván Chanis Barahona is a prominent Panamanian lawyer, human rights activist, and President of Fundación Iguales. He is well known for his advocacy in LGBTQ+ rights, marriage equality, and anti-discrimination legislation in Panama.
Fundación Iguales = Equal Foundation
His quote refers to the glaring paradox between Panama’s rapid economic growth and its starkly outdated legal framework, noting that while the country’s public opinion and culture are rapidly modernizing, its legal and political systems have historically “stood still”.
Chanis has frequently spoken about how Panamanian political leaders remain disconnected from liberal democratic changes. Here is a look at his core arguments and the advocacy landscape in Panama across a few key dimensions:
- Public Opinion vs. Law: Chanis points out that grassroots campaigns—such as the “Yes I Do” initiative—have successfully changed the minds of hundreds of thousands of people in a country of 4.2 million. However, these positive shifts have not been reflected in the legal framework due to a lack of political will and an outdated, conservative political leadership.
- The Same-Sex Marriage Ban: Even as the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has ruled that countries must ensure civil marriage rights for same-sex couples, Panama’s Supreme Court has historically upheld its constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Chanis views this as a major step backward that gives the government a green light to discriminate.
- A Broader Human Rights Focus: Under his leadership at Fundación Iguales, the organization pushes beyond just marriage rights. The movement addresses broader systemic discrimination, violence against transgender Panamanians, Afro-descendant rights, and the separation of church and state.
- International Standing: Chanis often calls out the hypocrisy of Panama’s government. The country actively hosts major international human rights events and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, yet fails to implement and respect those same human rights standards domestically.
