Deputy Luis Eduardo Camacho questioned the judicial process related to the Odebrecht case in Panama, by ensuring that irregularities have been committed that constitute a violation of the human rights of former President Ricardo Martinelli. During his intervention in the Government Committee of the National Assembly, the parliamentarian stated that violations of human rights do not come from individuals, but from the Panamanian State itself, when through its institutions it adopts decisions that affect the citizen and political rights of a person. As he explained, cases of alleged human rights violations are evaluated by both national courts and international bodies linked to the Organization of American States (OAS) and other instances of legal protection. Inconsistencies in the Odebrecht case investigation Camacho pointed out that within the judicial process there are inconsistencies related to the dates of the alleged investigated facts. The deputy indicated that the document used by the Public Ministry of Panama to initiate the investigation states that the alleged crimes would have been committed from 2010 onwards. However, during the development of the trial, funds were mentioned that the former head of state would have received in 2009. “Legally that is already a reason for Ricardo Martinelli not to be within that process,” he affirmed. Camacho talks about “legal aberration” The deputy indicated that if the framework of the investigation contemplated facts from 2010 onwards, it would not be appropriate to implicate a person for facts that occurred in 2009. “Lawyers know perfectly well that that is a legal aberration,” he stated. Likewise, he pointed out that the funds mentioned in the process would not correspond to bribes, but to electoral donations that, he said, were received before Martinelli assumed the Presidency of the Republic. Camacho added that said donations were declared before the Electoral Tribunal of Panama, which he highlighted, evidences that they were not hidden resources. Defense of citizen rights The deputy also acknowledged his friendship with former President Ricardo Martinelli, but maintained that his position responds to the defense of legal principles and respect for citizen rights. “When one applauds the violation of the human rights of a person, one is opening the door for it to happen to any citizen tomorrow,” he warned. Finally, he reiterated that he will support any initiative that promotes debate on respect for human rights and the rule of law in Panama.
