Panama City/Prensa Latina
The Panamanian Association of Business Executives (Apede) today rejected a draft law submitted to the National Assembly (unicameral parliament) on amnesty, pardon, reduced sentences and granting of conditional freedom.
The Apede statement also questioned the initiative submitted by Congressman Luis Eduardo Camacho, which involves modifications to the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code.
According to the business group, this law “opens a dangerous window that would allow the release of former officials convicted of corruption, which represents a serious setback in the fight against impunity.”
The group described this possible change as “alarming” because it could allow more acts of corruption to develop and the country’s judicial system to be manipulated.
The business sector believes that, if this initiative is approved, it would affect the work that Panama is doing to get out of the grey lists, something that is necessary to strengthen the position of the isthmus as an international trade center.
“We call on deputies to act responsibly and ethically, reminding them of their obligation to safeguard the public interest and the law, since the citizen vote put them in their seats to ensure that justice is done and the integrity of our laws is maintained,” the text stressed.
Camacho, from the ruling party Realizing Goals, is a friend of former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014), sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering and a refugee in the Nicaraguan Embassy since February 7.
The initiative was also rejected by the National Workers’ Union of Panama, which stated that its objective is to prevent a number of former officials investigated and prosecuted for crimes against public administration, including former President Martinelli, from serving their sentences.
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