Freedom of Expression
Press Release 84/03
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression Released Report on the Situation of Freedom of Expression in Panama
The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Eduardo A. Bertoni, on the occasion of his visit to Panama from July 6 to 8, released the Report on the Situation of Freedom of Expression in Panama, prepared by the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and approved on July 3 by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
The report combines the results of three visits by the Rapporteur to the Republic of Panama (carried out in 2000, 2001, and 2003) and presents an analysis of some of the norms, laws and practices that limit the full exercise of freedom of expression in that country, according to the provisions and jurisprudence of the Inter-American Human Rights System.
"The Special Rapporteur is most troubled by the slander, libel and desacato laws that have sometimes been used to persecute, harass and/or imprison certain individuals for voicing their opinions. It is wrong to deprive anyone of his/her liberty for having exercised his/her right to freedom of expression to express views about public officials," states the Report.
In his conclusions, the Special Rapporteur recommends that the government of Panama carry out, as soon as possible, its promise to repeal all provisions on desacato, a criminal offense that punishes insults to public officials. Additionally, he advocates reforms of the legislation on libel and slander for expressions regarding public officials, public persons, or private individuals who are voluntarily involved in matters of public interest, and a gradual progress towards decriminalization of such offenses.
He also asked the Panamanian State to review the regulation and application of the law on access to information in the hands of the State (Law 6 of January 22, 2002) and habeas data.
A preliminary version of the report was sent to the Panamanian government, which in its reply declared its consent to opening the debate on several of the issues raised in the document.
The Rapporteur concluded his report with his pledge to continue observing and informing on the status of freedom of expression in Panama and to collaborate for the adoption of mechanisms that guarantee the full exercise this right, promotion and diffusion.
Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom
of Expression
July 8, 2003
Washington, D.C.