Attempt to intimidate Transparency International Chapter in Panama

Following apparent attempts to intimidate Angélica Maytín Justiniani, the president of Fundación para el Desarrollo de la Libertad Ciudadana, Transparency International’s (TI) National Chapter in Panama, the TI movement fully supports the Chapter in its efforts to fight corruption in the country. TI calls on the government of Panama to offer all necessary guarantees for civil society organisations to operate and express themselves freely in the country without fear of reprisal.

On 8 November, Angélica Maytín Justiniani appeared on television to speak out about irregularities in public procurement processes involving the Ministry of Security. That same morning a group of unidentified persons visited her home in her absence and made enquiries as to her whereabouts.

This incident is the latest in a series of similar attempts over the past few months to intimidate the Executive President of Fundación para el Desarrollo de la Libertad Ciudadana as well as members of other civil society organisations in Panama.

Transparency International is the civil society organisation leading the global fight against corruption.