Country Summary for PANAMA

Definitions

The historic heritage of Panama consists of the archaeological sites or objects, documents, historic monuments or other immovable/movable property that bear witness to the Panamanian past… (Constitution of 2004, Art. 85)

Registry

The National Office of Historic Heritage will take the relevant measures to develop a National Registration System for Movable and Immovable Cultural Property. The purpose of this registry is to recognize, appraise, classify, identify, protect and preserve said property. (Law No. 58 of 2003, Art. 7)

As of the promulgation of this Law, any person that is a possessor of any movable cultural property must register it with the National Office of Historic Heritage. Failure to meet this obligation will give said Institute the authority to file for seizure of the related property. (Law No. 58 of 2003, Art. 9)

Relevant State Agencies

The National Cultural Institute, through the National Office of Historic Heritage, is responsible for the recognition, study, custody, preservation, administration and enrichment of Panama’s Historic Heritage. (Law No. 14 of 1982, Art. 1)

The National Commission on Archaeology and Historic Monuments will advise the National Office of Historic Heritage in all matters over which said office has jurisdiction. (Law No. 14 of 1982, Art. 5)