The National Assembly of Panama approved the summons for the Minister of Social Development, Beatriz Carles, to answer a questionnaire of 42 questions related to the situation of children's shelters in the country. The proposal for the minister's summons was presented again this Thursday, after having been rejected on two previous occasions by the legislative plenary. The decision was made after an inspection of the Comprehensive Care Center (CAI) in Tocumen, carried out by Alexandra Brenes, president of the Commission for Women, Children, Youth and the Family. During the visit, problems were detected such as the deterioration of the infrastructure, the presumed lack of specialized technical personnel, and the presence of children and adults in the same space without proper separation, a situation that violates child protection standards. In addition, deputies want to know how many complaints about improper punishment, confinement, isolation, or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment have been received since July 2024 to the present. The Assembly also requested information on the existence of institutional protocols that prohibit physical or psychological punishment, as well as details on subsidies to NGOs and patronatos, mechanisms for the oversight of shelters, and the authorization of communications related to these centers. Brenes emphasized that the oversight does not constitute a political attack, but a necessary action to guarantee the protection of children and the accountability of the authorities.
