government

Cabinet to discuss security reforms

The Consejo de Gabinete will begin talks about the controversial proposals at a meeting Monday.

LA PRENSA

Daniel Delgado Diamante1074406

Ministro de Gobierno y Justicia Daniel Delgado Diamante announced yesterday that the proposed reforms to the country's security agencies will be discussed by the Consejo de Gabinete next Monday during its weekly breakfast meeting.

The reforms have been the subject of two weeks of meetings with various stakeholder groups, many of which raised concerns about the proposed changes, and in particular the creation of a Servicio Nacional de Inteligencia y Seguridad.

Although the minister avoided providing details on the changes that have been made to the original proposal, he said that efforts were made to “remove” those elements that could likely be established as unconstitutional.

The Alianza Ciudadana Pro Justicia, which includes some 20 social organizations, has questioned the method used by the Executive to approve these proposals. Instead of being debated by the Asamblea Nacional, President Martín Torrijos has proposed mandating them by decree as part of the special powers he received from the legislative body.

The reforms, the alliance said, open the door for human rights' violations in the name of national security.

Diamante and others have defended the proposed reforms as being essential to offset the country's increasing number of violent crimes. Many of these murders have been linked to gang activity and drug trafficking.

In addition to creating a national intelligence agency, the reforms also call for the creation of an independent border patrol. This entity, government officials contend, would stem the flow of illegal aliens into Panama, particularly from Colombia.

Alvis Santana, a former deputy director of the Policía Nacional, came out publicly against the proposed reforms yesterday. He said the creation of a border patrol violates the Constitution because it would be akin to an army.

José Domingo Torres, a representative of the Partido Popular on the Mesa de Modernización Institucional of the Concertación Nacional, requested that the Cabinet delay the discussion about the proposed reforms, and that public consultations be held so that the community is involved “in the design and implementation of public safety policies and strategies.”