By Wendy Anders

The “Vamos” party, which in English means “Let’s Go,” has just joined Costa Rica’s political fray in an attempt to “fight for equal rights for discriminated groups in Costa Rica,” reported the Costa Rican news site ElMundoCr.com.

This latest political party is made up of long-standing Costa Rican human rights activists who want to fight for more liveable and humane cities, for changes in drug policy, and to bring labor legislation up-to-date with existing employment opportunities, said the party founders to ElMundoCr.com.

Additionally, the Vamos party envisions a Costa Rica in which all people’s rights are respected in a secular state that responds efficiently and quickly from a human rights perspective to people’s needs.

The party appointed Margarita Salas Guzman, a renowned human rights activist in Costa Rica who has a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, as Vamos president.

“It is time to modernize the Costa Rican government using a human rights approach and with social participation. We have spent decades listening to different political parties say that the country is not yet ready, it is not yet time. We are here today to say ‘It is time: Policies can be built collectively and transparently, parties can propose upfront what they really want, rather than just trying to win votes, yes it can be done, and we will do it,’” Salas said in a public address.

The party had its founding session on September 25, and needs to finish some formalities to complete their registration at the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.

“We want to build an new alternative policy, and people’s participation in the party’s organization is essential. We invite the public to join this initiative, through the various interaction options that we have,” said Danilo Ramirez Chaves, Vamos secretary general. Ramírez is currently a history and sociology student at the University of Costa Rica and the National University.

To learn more about Vamos’ proposed policies and find out about ways to get involved, visit their website: www.vamosvamos.cr.

Next month Vamos announced they will launch a “Plural Assembly,” an ongoing forum through which supporters can propose new initiatives and contribute their ideas via technology, said ElMundoCr.com.