People traffickers could face 30 years behind bars

High ranking Foreign refugees accused of crimes accused of crimes against humanity, theft and corruption are routinely granted asylum in Panama.

But if anyone  accused of human trafficking knocks on the door they could be heading for jail under a proposed new law.

Minister of Public Security José Raúl Mulino said Saturday that he will be lobbying the National Assembly to move forward with the discussion of a dealing with the trafficking of persons.

Cases in Panama have been highlighted recently with the arrival of illegal Chinese people, and women brought in as dancers but believed to be engaged in prostitution, and illegal immigrants from Somalia have arrived as castaways.

The law, which was proposed last month, includes an increase in the maximum sentence for trafficking to 30 years in prison, and also expands the scope of the law to include labor exploitation and other problems associated with human trafficking.

Mulino said the adoption of this law will combat the international scourge not confined  solely to Panama.

Adoption of the law would put Panama in compliance with the United Nations Palermo Protocol, signed in 2000, which describes trafficking as a violation of human rights.

The next regular sessions of the National Assembly begins July 1.