Law 30 unleashes repression from the Martinelli government

With Alejandro John

We’re heading for a civil dictatorship

The general secretary of the Industrial Union of Soft Drink, Beverage, Soda, Beer, Liquor and Similar Beverage Production and Distribution Workers gave Sirel an update on the issues at stake in the social conflict experienced in the country upon the amendment of Law 30 and the Bocas del Toro massacre.

-What is the information on the results of the Bocas del Toro repression?

-According to off-the-record information, the government is hiding the real number of casualties resulting from repression in Bocas del Toro, they’ve only admitted to four dead, while non-official information reports nine casualties: two adults and six children, plus a Police officer; although the number could be higher.

Three persons were affected by short-distance pellet shots and were blinded, while dozens are reported to have suffered injuries in one eye.  

One of the 150 wounded persons is affected by serious kidney and liver injuries, while someone else has lung damage as a consequence of pellet and bullet shooting.

-What has been the social reaction in Panama?  

-This ruthless repression has been condemned by many sectors and organizations, which are also acknowledging that the government is not creating suitable conditions for dialogue because it is surrounding itself only with loyal entities. That includes the Catholic Church, which I think should be a mediator and not a party to this conflict.

The government is also acting as if it is entitled to autonomously appoint mediators for a possible dialogue, and that is not acceptable.

-So, what is the position of Panama’s social forces then?

-We remain firm in demanding that Law 30 be repealed.  We are planning new actions for next week.

-What type of actions?

-We are organizing a picket line at the entrance of the Supreme Court of Justice.

But this crisis is escalating; even the media is now blaming the intransigence and repressive stance taken by the government, which has led sources close to President Ricardo Martinelli to in turn blame the media for encouraging insurrection and uprisings.

The fact is that repression has been so brutal that the population seems to have become convinced of the need to repeal this law, which, apart from attacking unions, gives special powers to the Police forces.

-What are those special powers?

-The Police are authorized to shoot for any reason, they can kill without explaining their actions to the courts, and without fear of being removed from their post; as if we were living in a state of war.

What happened in Bocas del Toro was the “pre-screening” of Police forces acting with these new powers granted by Law 30.  Now the government is beginning to suggest that the situation is out of control, but it is clear that the orders for full repression came from the government itself.

This has been a real massacre, unprecedented over the past decades in Panama. Law 30 was encouraged and voted by the government and has brought full impunity for these events.

-So you mean that the democratic system is seriously threatened…

-We could say that we are virtually heading for a civil dictatorship, launched to repress the people and the working class. This bloody repression adds to the State terrorism created by the false charges hurled by the government, thus preparing the ground for persecution and repression.

Now, for instance, when we, as union leaders, call on workers to support a strike or a peaceful demonstration, according to the government, we are to be blamed for “advocating criminal acts”. They are criminalizing social struggles and setting up a Police State under a terrorist regime, with a government-dependent system of justice.

Tomorrow, Saturday, July 17, two of the fatal victims will be buried, while the others are still at the morgue in spite of the demands from their families for the bodies to be released.

Possibly the worst is yet to come.