2004 freedominfo.org Global Survey Results - Panama
Text from the freedominfo.org Global Survey: Freedom of Information and Access to Government Records Around the World, by David Banisar (updated 12 May 2004)

The Law on Transparency in Public Administration was enacted on 22 January 2002. (1) The law gives the right for any person to ask for information in any form from government bodies. Individual also have the right to access their own files and correct them. Government bodies must respond within 30 days. Fees can only be charged for reproduction.

Information relating to another person's medical and psychological condition, family life, marital and sexual history, criminal records and telephone conversations and other private communications is considered confidential and cannot be released. Restricted information relating to national security, commercial secrets, investigations, natural resources, diplomatic relations, and cabinet discussions can be withheld for 10 years.

Government bodies also have the obligation to publish regulations, general policies and strategic plans, internal procedure manuals, and descriptions of organizational structures. A code of ethics requires that all senior government officials publish declarations of their financial holdings, conflicts of interests and other information for anti-corruption purposes. (2)

Appeals can be made to a court under an action of Habeas Data. According the OAS Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, of 65 cases brought in 2002, only 10 resulted in the release of information. (3) There are sanctions for failing to comply with the law or destroying or altering information.

A controversial implementing decree was issued in May 2002 which limits access to 'interested persons". (4) This has been criticized by the ombudsman, civil society groups and the media. (5) The OAS Special Rapporteur has expressed concern that the interpretation of "interested person" would limit the availability of information and has asked the government to clarify. (6) The Ombudsman has filed a complaint with the Supreme Court asking the court to find the regulation illegal.

Notes

1. Ley No. 6 de 22 de enero de 2002 Que dicta normas para la transparencia en le gestión pública, establece la acción de Hábeas Data y dicta otras disposiciones. http://www.asamblea.gob.pa/legispan/leyes/2002/2002_006.pdf. See also Que dicta Normas para la Transparencia en la Gestión Pública, establece la Acción de Habeas Data y otras disposiciones, enero 2002, http://www.defensoriadelpueblo.gob.pa/Publicaciones/PDF/Ley6.pdf

2. See DECRETO 15 de 19 de julio de 2002 "Por el cual se establece el Código de Ética en el Tribunal Electoral". http://www.tribunal-electoral.gob.pa/codigo-etica/

3. Report of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression 2002. http://www.cidh.oas.org/relatoria/docListCat.asp?catID=32&lID=1

4. Decreto Ejecutivo 124 de 21 de mayo de 2002. See Ministro de Gobierno y Justicia, Presidenta Reglamentara Transparencia En Gestión Publica http://www.gobiernoyjusticia.gob.pa/noticias.php?idn=40

5. Opinión en torno al Decreto Ejecutivo que reglamenta la Ley de Transparencia, 5 de Junio de 2002 http://www.defensoriadelpueblo.gob.pa/ComunicadosCuerpo.asp?ComunicadosID=1023312643. See also http://probidad.org/regional/legislacion/2001/024.html

6. See OAS Report ibid.