Draft bill 128.

Summary.

The draft bill proposes amendments to Law 16 of 2004 that would make protecting minors from conduct constituting offenses against sexual freedom and integrity the law’s fundamental purpose. The revised Article 1 covers such conduct in all its forms and provides for prevention, protection, care, and punishment measures. It links those measures to the best interests of children and adolescents, comprehensive protection, and the principles of the Political Constitution (Constitución Política), the Family Code (Código de la Familia), and international instruments ratified by the Republic of Panama (República de Panamá).

The revised Article 21 creates the National Commission for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Offenses (Comisión Nacional para la Prevención de los Delitos de Explotación Sexual), called CONAPREDES, as a technical and administrative body. Its role is to study mechanisms for preventing and eradicating offenses against sexual freedom and integrity. The revised Article 22 sets out its membership and places the Attorney General at its head. It includes ministers or representatives responsible for Social Development, Government, Economy and Finance, Education, Health, and Public Security; the Children and Adolescents Court (Tribunal de Niñez y Adolescencia); the National Assembly’s Committee on Women, Children, Youth and Family (Comisión de la Mujer, la Niñez, la Juventud y la Familia de la Asamblea Nacional); and a coordinator appointed by the Executive Branch (Órgano Ejecutivo).

Membership also includes the National Directorate of Judicial Investigation (Dirección Nacional de Investigación Judicial), the Ombudsman’s Office (Defensoría del Pueblo), the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Family (Secretaria Nacional de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia), the National Support Network for Children and Adolescents (Red Nacional de Apoyo a la Niñez y Adolescencia), the National Council for Children and Adolescents (Consejo Nacional de la Niñez y la Adolescencia), the National Bar Association of Panama, and the University of Panama’s Observatory against the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents. If force majeure prevents the Attorney General from attending, a substitute must hold a rank no lower than Senior Prosecutor. During a minister’s or deputy minister’s temporary absence, the designated official must hold a post no lower than National Director. The commission may invite other institutions and civil society organizations involved in promoting and protecting minors.

The revised Article 28 assigns the ministries responsible for Social Development, Public Security, Education, Government, Health, and Labor and Workforce Development, together with the National Police (Policía Nacional), the National Directorate of Judicial Investigation, the Public Prosecutor’s Office (Ministerio Público), the Judicial Branch (Órgano Judicial), and the Ombudsman’s Office, to implement and monitor policies, programs, and measures for prevention, comprehensive care, training, and public awareness. Article 5 identifies the amendments to Law 16 of March 31, 2004, and Article 6 provides for commencement on the day after promulgation.

The provisions concern those public bodies and could affect child protection services, legal professionals, civil society organizations, and the education, health, and social care sectors.