Civic Democracy Network fights back

PANAMA.Civic Democracy Network (Red Democracia Ciudadana) is continuing its campaign against the security decree laws the government is trying to impose.

They gather every Wednesday night in front of El Carmen Church in Via España for a candlelight vigil to protest the measures the government believes will bring greater safety to this country.

Now they are circulating emails calling upon everyone concerned with the decree laws to continue the civil protests against the moves of the Minister of Government and Justice, Daniel Delgado Diamante, and President Martin Torrijos to return to authoritarianism and against the premeditated and systematic violation of Human Rights.

The email announces a rally outside of the National Assembly on Wednesday September 10 at 4:00 p.m to “defend your dignity” in the face of militarism.

The decree laws, approved by the Executive Branch last month by extraordinary powers, create the National Frontier Service, the National Air and Naval Service the National Intelligence Service and modify the National Security Council.

They have not been well received by Panamanians given their rushed approval, led by President Torrijos and Delgado Diamante, without proper consultation.

Its critics point out that it provides too much power to security forces and that it creates the ideal framework for the return of a military force.

President Torrijos, son of a former dictator, continues to insist that militarism in Panama is in the past, and is attempting to reassure Panamanians that the purpose of the decrees is solely to increase security by fighting organized crime and drug trafficking.

The National Assembly received the five law decrees on Monday, and on Wednesday announced on a press release that they will submit the decrees to “ample debate.”

“Regarding the law decrees approved by the Executive, delegates of the PRD and the opposition agreed in signaling that these should be discussed by the National Assembly in first, second, and third debate,” the legislative branch’s statement read.