Court decision attack on information freedom

THE DECISION of Panama’s Supreme Court to deny information about who enters its facilities is an “attack on free access to information,” said  the Panamanian chapter of Transparency International, on Friday October 10.

The group said the decision of the Fourth Chamber of the Court to declare these records as “restricted” information can be considered an excuse to keep the information from citizens in general and journalists in particular, who are the largest users of the transparency law.

 “Currently there are serious questions about the actions of certain magistrates, so it becomes imperative that the Supreme Court fully meets the principles of transparency established by law,” the group said.
The foundation asked that the court rescind its decision.

 Judges José Ayú Prado, Harley Mitchell and Luis Ramón Fábrega issued the decision, saying it was necessary to protect the security of those having dealings with the court.