Panama Found Guilty in Disappearance of Father Gallego

The Commission determined that there are sufficient grounds to conclude that Gallego was arrested and disappeared by state agents, in a context of repression and forced disappearances during Panamanian military governments. The body also indicated that the State failed in its duty to investigate and sanction with due diligence, favoring impunity. Likewise, the State failed to comply with its obligations under the Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons, in force since February 28, 1996. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) concluded that the Panamanian State is responsible for the impunity in the forced disappearance of the Colombian father Jesús Héctor Gallego Herrera, which occurred on June 9, 1971. On June 9, 1971, after being harassed and his home set on fire, he was arrested by men linked to the National Guard and his whereabouts have been unknown ever since. The Commission requested the Inter-American Court to order the following reparatory measures: Adopt measures of non-repetition, including public policies and forensic protocols for the management of archives and genetic material of victims of the dictatorship, and training of authorities in inter-American standards and the Guiding Principles on the Search for Missing Persons. Investigate the whereabouts of Jesús Héctor Gallego Herrera through a search plan with measurable results and family participation; in the event that remains are found, guarantee their identification and delivery. Repair in full the violations of human rights, including measures of satisfaction and compensation for material and moral damages. Continue the investigations with due diligence and impartiality to identify and sanction both material and intellectual authors. Provide physical and mental health care to the victim's family members, in a coordinated and voluntary manner. In 1994, three former members of the National Guard were convicted as accomplices to homicide, although the ruling did not address the responsibility of high command and one of the accused remained a fugitive. Gallego carried out pastoral and social work with peasant communities in Santa Fe, Veraguas, where he promoted cooperatives, Christian groups, and projects on human rights training and community development. After the end of the military regime, the Catholic Church managed to have it reopened in 1990.