Government is forced to close insular jail after the OAS order

Panama is obliged to abide by the resolution submitted Monday by the Organization of American States (OAS), through the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH), with the closure of the temporary detention center of Punta Coco it is requested, and the "urgent" precautionary measures for the 6 held there.

According to the lawyer Felix Humberto Paz, human rights expert, this application is mandatory, under the agreements signed by Panama to the OAS.

He cited as an example the similar resolution that sent the Inter-American Commission to the United States on the closure of the Guantanamo detention center.

"And the most powerful president in the world, Barack Obama, has agreed to report the closure of Guantanamo," Paz said.

But President Juan Carlos Varela and security authorities in the country defend the continuity of this center, under the excuse of being used to limit communication of high-profile detainees.

"But it really is a criminal torture center," complained the lawyer.

A report by the Ombudsman and warned of irregularities in the criminal, such as isolation, impairment of visits limitations for inspection controls, lack of medical care, among others.

Because of this, the resolution sent to Panama by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, on page 10 states that "the State must immediately locate those currently detained in the center of temporary detention of Punta Coco, in a place that meets the applicable standards for persons deprived of liberty. "

It also requires that "do cease insulation measures which are" the six prisoners confined to this place.

Should Panama ignore the request of the OAS, "those people could sue the state," said attorney Guillermo Cochez, former Ambassador of Panama to the OAS.

He reiterated that "violation of human rights" is given in the prison of Punta Coco, and being a signatory to agreements on respect for these rights Panama, "must comply with this recommendation of the international organization."

The first detainees were sent to this facility, located in a naval air base, in June last year.

Tensiones

Defensora

La petición de la defensora del pueblo, Lilia Herrera, de clausurar la cárcel de Punta Coco, ubicada en la Isla del Rey, en el archipiélago de las Perlas, abrió una fuerte disputa entre la funcionaria nombrada en la administración pasada y el presidente Juan Carlos Varela.

Diferencias

El mandatario contestó en tono molesto: "A mí me gustaría que la señora defensora se tomara el tiempo, así como se lo tomó para ir a Punta Coco, para ver una instalación digna, con excelentes facilidades y de primer mundo, lo hiciera para averiguar qué pasó el día sábado (julio de 2015) en un sector de la capital. Cuando averigüe eso, va a entender un poco más las decisiones que toma este Gobierno".