Young protestors deserve more than “tear gas and blows”

The country and the government of  Laurentino Cortizo must listen to young people protesting against constitutional reforms, in a climate of annoyance for corruption, economic deterioration, lack of access to basic services and intolerance,  says the Panama Human Rights Network

 Magaly Castillo, the NGO’s director, spoke on Friday, November 1 following four days of protests that have seen more than a hundred arrested.

 “Young people cannot be answered with blows and tear gas. In addition, it has become clear that the National Police is not prepared to face this type of civic demonstration, in which it is not fighting for a particular group, but for the interest of the whole country and the next generations, ”she said.

Castillo said that the fact that young people have been detained in cages for hours waiting for the attention of a justice of the peace makes it necessary to review these procedures.

Her statements came a day after demonstrations that ended with the arrest of 46 people, including university students, near Plaza 5 de Mayo.

Castillo’s statements were followed by denunciations by United Youth for Education, over what they described as “unfortunate events” derived from clashes between law enforcement officials and young demonstrators against constitutional reforms. Media reports allege one student received a broken leg from police beatings and others were herded into temporary cages and left standing for hours.