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Panama Law Reform Sparks
Fireworks
A week before the National
Assembly begins debate on the
reforms proposed to the Penal
Codes and Process, the
initiative continues to generate
controversies within different
sectors.
National Lawyers Association
President Mercedes Arauz and
leader of the Pro Justice
Citizen Alliance Magaly Castillo
disagreed on the viability of
the Penal Codes.
However, they both see it
concerning that legal
organizations and civilians have
only slight participation in
analysis of the proposal.
We are discussing an accusatory
system for an ideal world, a
system which we will not bring
into practice in seven or eight
years at least, Castillo warned.
It is really concerning that the
present speeches are very
superficial, which corroborates
insignificant access to
information, she emphasized.
Arauz expressed confidence on
the positive results of the
initiative, while Juana de
Cooke, of the Women National
Council, criticized the
prohibition of abortion and
considered it a move backward in
terms of human rights.
Panamanian President Martin
Torrijos called for an
extraordinary session of
Congress for January 23 and a
deadline of ten days to endorse
the reform.
Sentences for severe crimes are
expected to reach 35 years,
while sanctions for homicide,
infant pornography, corruption,
illegal enrichment, trafficking
and rape are also expected to
increase according with the
changes.
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