Coalition for the International Criminal Court
Follow Us: Facebook Twitter
CICCCourtCoalitionCoalitionDocumentsPressDonation
Browse by Region
map Americas Africa Asia and Pacific Europe Middle East and North Africa
Updates on Panama
18 Oct 2007
The National Commission on the Implementation of Humanitarian International Law drafted an amendment to the Penal Code that included a chapter on crimes under international law including only war crimes. In September 2005, we were informed that the Commission had finalized a draft law implementing the Rome Statute (complementarity). The Bill was expected to be submitted to the Government Ministry in October 2005 and then to be discussed and passed by the National Congress.

As of December 2004, there was a bill to reform the Criminal Code that was elaborated by a commission. This bill is under the study of the Ministry of the Interior.

President Torijos has publicly supported the work of the ICC.

As of June 2004, the draft implementing legislation is expected to be reviewed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly.

In May 2003, the Panamanian National Committee on the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law sent the draft implementation bill to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The draft, which includes genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, has also been sent to the Ministry of Justice, which must recommend its submission to Parliament.

Following approval by the Ministries, the draft will then be sent to the President who will forward the draft to the Parliament.

A committee on implementing legislation was established in order to promote codification of the crimes under the Rome Statute as well as legislation on cooperation with Court.

On 7 March 2002, Panama's Legislative Assembly ratified the Rome Statute. The bill was then signed by President Mireya Moscoso, and deposited at the UN.

Following the "urgent consideration" motion by the Legislative Assembly on 19 December 2001, the Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously approved the ratification bill.

Previously, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Miguel Aleman submitted the Rome Statute to the Legislative Assembly for its ratification.

Ratification of the Rome Statute has been studied by the Supreme Court, the Bar Association, and the Attorney-General.