Panama: A group called "Alternative 2000" that cares for young drug addicts and prostitutes near El Dorado in the capital; the authority responsible for receiving complaints regarding police corruption (1999-2002)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 3 September 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | PAN41880.FE |
| Reference | 1 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Panama: A group called "Alternative 2000" that cares for young drug addicts and prostitutes near El Dorado in the capital; the authority responsible for receiving complaints regarding police corruption (1999-2002), 3 September 2003, PAN41880.FE, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/403dd210c.html [accessed 7 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
No information on a group called "Alternative 2000" that cares for young drug addicts and prostitutes near El Dorado in the capital could be found among the documentary sources consulted by the Research Directorate. Furthermore, a switchboard operator from directory assistance in Panama, consulted on 26 August 2003, stated that there was no number listed for an organization called "Alternative 2000" near El Dorado in the capital.
With regard to police corruption, Country Reports 2002 indicated that the Judicial Technical Police (Policía Técnica Judicial, PTJ) and the Panamanian National Police (Policía Nacional de Panamá, PNP) had "offices of professional responsibility that act as internal affairs organs to hold officers accountable for their actions" (31 Mar. 2003, Sec. 1.c). Furthermore, Country Reports 2002 noted that the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman also handled complaints from civilians of violations committed by public officials, and that this office "received 62 complaints against the police for abuse of authority" in 2002 (31 Mar. 2003, Sec. 1.c).
According to its Website, the Ombudsman has offices in five cities in Panama:
1) Panama City: Avenida Nicancor de Obarrio (calle 50), Edificio Don Camilo, Planta Baja, tel.: 214-9835;
2) Colon: Calle 11 y Avenida Santa Isabel, Corregimiento de Barrio Sur (Al lado del Estadio Roberto Mariano Bula), tel.: 447-2347;
3) Santiago, Veraguas: Avenida Central y calle Novena Sur, Edificio Don Jaime, Planta Baja, tel.: 998-3357;
4) Las Tablas, Los Santos: Calle Joaquín Pablo Fanco, tel.: 994-1726;
5) David, Chiriqui: Avenida 3 de Noviembre, Edificio Plaza Las Américas, tel.: 775-5628 (Panama n.d.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2002. 31 March 2003. "Panama." United States Department of State. Washington, D.C.
Directory assistance, Panama. 26 August 2003. Consultation with a switchboard operator.
Panama. n.d. Defensoría del Pueblo de la República. "Contactenos."
Additional Sources Consulted
Dialog
IRB Databases
World News Connection/Dialog
Internet sites, including:
Alianza Ciudadana Pro Justicia
Amnesty International
Crítica Libre [Panama City]
Freedom House
Human Rights Watch
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report
Organización Internacional del Trabajo
El Panamá América [Panama City]
Panama News [Panama City]
Panama, Presidencia de la República
La Prensa [Panama City]
Transparency International
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