Panama: Treatment of the political opposition under the Endara government

In addition to the information provided in Responses to Information Requests PAN5717 of 1 June 1990, PAN8121 of 14 March 1991 and PAN11741 of 25 September 1992, please find attached a package of articles that contain information on the situation of the political opposition under the government of Guillermo Endara.

In addition to the attached, a Spanish-language summary of the human rights situation in Panama from May 1993 to May 1994 provided by the Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos en Panama provides the information that follows (CONADEHUPA June 1994).

Regarding the freedom to protest, CONADEHUPA has witnessed the state's "massive" repression against various demonstrating sectors of the population. These include the indigenous people during a national strike in May 1993, the Movement of the Unemployed in the city of Colon, the ground transportation unions, the inhabitants of two communities in March 1994, and the female workers of the light blue brigades (brigadas celestes) (ibid., 2).

Although no media outlets were closed during the period under review, many journalists have been physically assaulted and sued for publishing information that compromised state officials. The report states that according to an officer of the reporters union, 26 journalists had been physically assaulted by high-ranking government officials (ibid, 2-3).

Some of the attached documents refer to repression of demonstrations and to legal action against members of the opposition parties who have exposed or threatened to expose corruption among government officials. For further details, please consult the attachments.

Additional information on the human rights situation in Panama under the Endara government can be found in your Regional Documentation Centre.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.

Reference

Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos en Panama (CONADEHUPA), Panama City. June 1994. Informe Sobre la Situación de los Derechos Humanos en Panam , Mayo 1993-Mayo 1994.

Attachments

Central America Report [Guatemala]. 22 April 1994. "Panama: Endara Interferes in Electoral Process," p. 5.

. 15 April 1994. "Panama: Election Update," p. 8.

. 4 February 1994. "Panama: Two Scathing Reports,"p. 8.

. 28 January 1994. "Panama: New Uncertainty," p. 3.

. 3 December 1993. "Panama: Drug Scandal Widens," pp. 363-64.

. 5 November 1993. "Panama: Noriega Tried and Sentenced," p. 8.

. 1 October 1993. "Panama: New Labour Organization," p. 8.

Christian Science Monitor [Boston]. 24 January 1992. "Panama's Endara Faces Widespread Discontent." (Central America NewsPak 13-26 Jan. 1992, pp. 11-12)

. 28 October 1991. David Clark Scott. "Panama's Ruling Coalition Coming Undone." (Central America NewsPak 21 Oct.-3 Nov. 1993, pp. 10-11)

Dallas Morning News. 28 October 1993. David L. Marcus. "Persistent Labor Turmoil Causing Disarray in Panama." (Central America NewsPak 18-31 Oct. 1993, pp. 11-12)

Excelsior [Mexico City]. 18 December 1992. "Calderon Arias Steps Down as Panamanian Vice-President." (Central America NewsPak 14-27 Dec. 1992, p. 11)

. 20 January 1992. "Possible Connection Between Police and Terrorists." (Central America NewsPak 13-26 Jan. 1992, pp. 10-11)

. 13 January 1992. "Creation of Committee of Security Leads to Concerns for Human Rights in Panama." (Central America NewsPak 13-26 Jan. 1992, p. 10)

. 1 August 1991. Bertrand de la Grande. "Panama: Between Nepotism and Social Chaos." (Central America NewsPak 29 July-11 Aug. 1991, pp. 10-11)

. 5 July 1991. "Leader of Council of the Dismissed Arrested." (Central America NewsPak 1-14 July 1991, p. 10)

InterPress Service (IPS). 25 March 1994. "Twelve People Wounded as Police Break up Protest." (Central America NewsPak 21 Mar.-3 Apr. 1994, p. 12)

. 23 October 1993. Silvio Hern ndez. "From 'Drug Dictator' to Drug Paradise." (Central America NewsPak 18-31 Oct. 1993, pp. 10-11)

. 3 September 1993. "Union Conflicts Increase as Negotiations Fail." (Central America NewsPak 6-19 Sept. 1993, p. 11)

. 25 June 1993. "Business Leaders Criticize Official Economic Policy." (Central America NewsPak 28 June-11 July 1993, pp. 9-10)

. 14 June 1993. Silvio Hern ndez. "Government Confronts Wave of Stoppages and Strikes." (Central America NewsPak 14-27 June 1993, pp. 10-11)

. 4 June 1993. "Killing of Indian Heightens Tensions With Government." (Central America NewsPak 31 May-13 June 1993, p. 12)

. 29 April 1993. "Police Involved in Plot to Murder Endara." (Central America NewsPak 19 Apr.-2 May 1993, pp. 10-11)

. 18 April 1993. "Woman's Death in Parliament Sparks Controversy." (Central America NewsPak 5-18 Apr. 1993, p. 12)

. 26 February 1993. "Government to be Accused of Human Rights Violations." (Central America NewsPak 22 Feb.-7 Mar. 1993, pp. 11-12)

. 5 January 1993. "Political Crisis Could Spark Economic Paralysis." (Central America NewsPak 28 Dec.-10 Jan. 1993, p. 11)

. 9 August 1992. Silvio Hern ndez. "Arrest of Business Leaders Worsens Crisis in Colon." (Central America NewsPak 27 July-9 Aug. 1992, p. 11)

. 24 July 1992. Silvio Hern ndez. "Government Urged to Release Leaders of the Unemployed." (Central America NewsPak 13-26 July 1992, p. 11)

. 12 July 1992. Silvio Hern ndez. "Explosive Situation in Caribbean Coast Zone." (Central America NewsPak 29 June-12 July 1992, pp. 11-12)

. 10 May 1992. "Street Protests Continue Amid Government Inaction." (Central America NewsPak 4-17 May 1992, p. 11)

Miami Herald. 14 May 1993. "Police Officers Arrested in Bomb Attack on Endara." (Central America NewsPak 17-30 May 1993, p. 12)

. 4 March 1993. "Film Banned." (Central America NewsPak 22 Feb.-7 Mar. 1993, p. 12)

. 20 September 1991. Joaquim Bamrud. "Panama Almost Paralysed by Strikes and Protests." (Central America NewsPak 23 Sept.-6 Oct. 1991, p. 11)

The New York Times. 16 November 1992. Shirley Christian. "Constitutional-Change Proposals Losing Badly in Panamanian Vote." (Central America NewsPak 2-15 Nov. 1992, pp. 11-12)

. 1 September 1992. Shirley Christian. "Panama's Police Force is Already Under Fire." (Central America NewsPak 24 Aug.-6 Sept. 1992, pp. 11-12)