Supreme Court supports Miguel A. Bernal dismissal

PANAMA. Panama’s Supreme Court has upheld the decision that supports the removal of Miguel Antonio Bernal from the University of Panama.

Five years ago, the lawyer and professor criticized the head of the university, Gustavo Garcia De Paredes in a series of statements to the press.

At the time, the rector was seeking re-election and the law had to be changed to accommodate his candidacy.

Garcia De Paredes the said the decision was a moral sanction taken by the General University Council in a vote that resulted in 75 votes in favor of Bernal’s dismissal.

Bernal has vowed to continue defending his right to freedom of speech by reaffirming the declarations that led him into trouble. “You have the university kidnapped for your dark means”, “You are a politician, I am a decent academic”, were statements from Bernal against Garcia de Paredes re-election.

The decision of the Supreme Court has sparked national and international reactions.

While the Panamanian Law Society recommends Bernal seeks international justice, students closed the via Tranistsmica in support of the professor.

Transparency International considers the expulsion of Bernal from the university would create a grim precedent for the institution and that the decision of the Supreme Court harms freedom of speech.

The People’s Defender, Ricardo Vargas, said critics of the authorities should not cause this type of reaction and that the university should show tolerance.

Miguel Antonio Bernal has been a law professor for 35 years and has been a loud voice against corruption in Panama.