UN informed of Panama justice crisis

Panama’sAlliance For Justice has called on the United Nations to investigate the crisis in the country’s judicial system.

A letter outlining widespread citizen concerns has gone to the Office of the Special Rapporteur on the judicial independence of the United Nations.

Magaly Castillo, Director of  Alianza Ciudadana, said that they sent the letter to inform the rapporteur  about what happens in Panama like the lack of application of the judicial career system, the high percentage of interim judges, the way the system works when judges block prosecutions, and the delay in the appointment of new magistrates along with President Varela’s refusal to implement an accord to involve the citizenry in the naming of judges.

“It is a critical and chaotic situation that we are living in Panama in the area of justice that affects judicial independence, “said Castillo.

In the letter, the Alliance urged the Office of the Special Rapporteur to ask the Panamanian State what is going on or request a visit to the country to investigate what is happening.

Castillo said that this week they are also sending the same letter to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

“If there is no justice system that guarantees the independence of citizens, everyone is affected… if there are no guarantees of independence, there is also no respect for human rights, “she said.