The National Assembly of Panama has kicked off the political clock to choose the new Human Rights Ombudsman, after approving a resolution that establishes the regulations and officially opens the process for electing the next figure in charge of safeguarding human rights in the country.
The decision comes as the current head of the institution, Eduardo Leblanc González, concludes his term on March 31st, which compels the Legislature to define his replacement before that date.
With the approval of the resolution, the legislative plenary formally declares the process for the election and appointment of the Ombudsman open, in accordance with the powers established in the Constitution and current legislation.
The Government Commission begins the screening The process will start in the Government, Justice, and Constitutional Affairs Commission of the National Assembly of Panama, which will be responsible for summoning the candidates, receiving the required documentation, and conducting interviews with interested parties in the position.
Once this phase is completed, the commission must submit to the legislative plenary the list of candidates who meet the requirements established in the Constitution and the law that regulates the institution.
Subsequently, the directive of the Legislature will set the date for the session in which the election of the new Ombudsman will take place, which must be included in the plenary's Order of the Day.
Deputies will have five minutes to nominate According to the approved regulation, the General Secretariat will provide each deputy—main and substitute with voting rights—with the official list of candidates.
During the election session, each parliamentarian will have five minutes to nominate any of the candidates on the list.
After the nominations, each deputy will have up to 30 minutes to present their position before the plenary.
Once the debate is concluded, the president of the Legislature will declare the vote open, which can be conducted by a show of hands or through an electronic system.
The result must be defined in the same session, and the appointment will be formalized by a decree signed by the president of the Assembly and the general secretary of Parliament, followed by the immediate swearing-in of the new head.
Requirements for the position The Constitution establishes that to hold the office, one must be a Panamanian by birth, be at least 35 years old, be in full enjoyment of civil and political rights, and have recognized moral integrity.
In addition, the aspirant must hold a university degree—preferably in Law and Political Science—and have a trajectory linked to the defense of human rights.
The opening of the process marks the beginning of a new political struggle in the Legislature, where different sectors are already beginning to maneuver to place their candidate in a key institution for the defense of citizen guarantees.
