Panama: Human Rights

Panama is a multi-party constitutional democracy. In 2009 voters chose Ricardo A. Martinelli Berrocal as president in national elections that international and domestic observers considered generally free and fair. Authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. Security forces did not commit human rights abuses, although cases involving allegations of abuses from the previous year remained unresolved. The principal human rights abuses were harsh prison conditions, judicial ineffectiveness, and attacks on freedom of expression. Other human rights abuses reported included prolonged pretrial detention, corruption, violence against women and children, trafficking in persons, and child labor. The government prosecuted few alleged cases of corruption or abuse of authority by government officials, leaving a widespread perception of impunity.