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Strengthening Panama's Judicial System


Jacob Orribara said that the ABA ROLI-organized workshops and mentoring sessions have equipped him and his colleagues with the set of skills they need to practice under the accusatorial system of criminal justice. (Courtesy ABA ROLI)
Jacob Orribara said that the ABA ROLI-organized workshops and mentoring sessions have equipped him and his colleagues with the set of skills they need to practice under the accusatorial system of criminal justice. (Courtesy ABA ROLI)

Panama is enhancing its judicial system with assistance from the United States through the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI).

Panama is enhancing its judicial system with assistance from the United States through the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI). CARSI seeks to respond to the region’s threats and builds upon existing strategies and programs, strengthening and integrating citizen security.

In Panama, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) contributes through the Judicial Transition Initiative, managed by the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI). The program provides technical training, courses, and workshops for more than 2,000 members of Panama’s justice system, general public, and civil society. They are studying how to implement the new criminal justice system.

Thanks to these and other U.S.-sponsored activities, judges, district attorneys and defense counsels from all over Panama have received training on their respective new roles in a more transparent and expedient criminal justice system. The new system is currently being piloted in Coclé and Veraguas.

USAID also worked closely with civil society organizations such as the Alianza Ciudadana Pro Justicia and the Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua to develop and distribute educational materials and reports to educate the public about these important judicial reforms.

Ambassador Jonathan Farrar recognized Panamanian counterparts for their work in adopting a more efficient and transparent criminal justice system. He affirmed “The United States Government will continue collaborating with judges, district attorneys, defense counsels, police officers and other members of the justice system in the implementation of the new criminal justice system in Panama.”

Laying down the foundation for an effective judicial system is critical to improving citizen security in Panama. The United States, through CARSI, is contributing to these advances in the judiciary. Working with partners, like Panama, we are advancing our mutual goal - a safer and more secure hemisphere.
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