Pele Police violation of human rights – lawyer

The use of Pele Police computer system in Panama has no legal basis says a prominent lawyer, but the chief of police says the practice will continue.

The arrest this week of journalist Enrique Watts Ríos has again raised the concerns among civil society groups.

Constitutionalist Miguel Antonio Bernal said that the use of the system is a violation of the human rights of citizens and has no legal basis Within the system, there is false information, the lawyer said.
In this sense, Bernal said that it is necessary for the Supreme Court to comply with its constitutional mandate and establish that the system should not be used. He said the government has used the system to hunt, chase, extort, harass and trample on the dignity of citizens.
He reiterated that the use of this instrument is "a true outrage" and explained that "no one may be deprived of his freedom if it is not under a written commandment of a competent authority."
Rafael Candanedo, of the National Council for Journalism, said that the use of the Pele Police system is a violation of the individual guarantees of Panamanian citizens.
According to Candanedo, the recent case with Watts Ríos "portrays the rot that exists in our justice system."
He also demanded an investigation into how an arrest warrant from 1997 was entered into the system.
Both agreed that, if the government insists on the use of the Pele Police system, a law needs to be passed regulating its use.
Police Chief Julio Moltó defended the system and said its use would continue.