Panama Minors Law Stagnates
After five months of national debate, a controversial reform to Law 40 of judicial responsibility of minors awaits endorsement of the Panamanian Executive to start its analysis in the Legislature.

Minister of Social Development Maria Roquebert stated that the issue still constitutes a priority for the government that is carefully analyzing the changes.

Similarly, General Secretary of the Government and Justice Ministry Danilo Toro asserted that simply submitting the matter for detailed discussion indicates it is a priority for the authorities.

However, experts and media consider that the reform of the penal code and process, as well as the creation of the Constitutional Guarantees Court, is now more important for Torrijos administration due to the growing violence involving teenagers and the concomitant increase in minors sentenced in recent months.

This has sparked a heated national controversy with many citizens demanding increased sentences for juvenile delinquents.