The Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE) expresses its firm rejection of the draft law “Which dictates provisions on amnesty, pardon, reduction of sentence and granting of conditional freedom, modifies the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code”, presented by a deputy in the National Assembly, and which seeks to change the legislation on amnesty.
This proposal opens a dangerous window that would allow former public officials convicted of corruption to be released, which represents a serious setback in the fight against impunity.
Combating impunity in cases of corruption is crucial to strengthening the rule of law and preserving the integrity of our institutions.
Encouraging former officials to evade their sentences not only undermines public trust, it also puts the legal order and justice in our country at risk, further eroding transparency in public management.
The approval of this draft bill would be a setback in the efforts that the Republic of Panama has been making to get off the lists of countries with deficiencies and high risk, impacting the level of confidence in our country in the eyes of the international community, which is vital for the development of Panama as an international trade center, as well as for promoting foreign investment in the national territory.
The inclusion of figures such as pardon and amnesty for common crimes, beyond the political crimes contemplated in our Constitution, creates an alarming precedent that could open the door to more acts of corruption and manipulation of the judicial system.
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.
As APEDE, we reaffirm our support for strengthening our justice system and transparency in public management as essential pillars for development and democracy in Panama.
We invite citizens to be informed, vigilant and actively participate in the defence of legality and the fight against corruption.
Civil society participation plays a crucial role in building a more just and democratic country, and its involvement is vital to maintaining the integrity of our institutions.
