Panama

Panama

Right	Section	Contents
Freedom of Association	History	Freedom of association is protected under the first constitution of Panama, enacted in 1904 shortly after the country’s independence. Article 20 guarantees Panamanians’ right to “to form associations for all the legitimate purposes of life.” Comparative Constitutions Project. “Constitution of the Republic of Panama.” World Constitutions Illustrated, July 24, 2023, https://heinonline-org.ccl.idm.oclc.org/HOL/Page?collection=cow&handle=hein.cow/zzpa0048&id=1&men_tab=srchresults.
Freedom of Expression	History	{{{contents}}}
Freedom of Religion	History	Freedom of religion in Panama was first protected in the constitution of 1904. Article 26 established that while Catholicism was recognized as the majority religion, “[t]he profession of all religions is free…” (Hein Online). The current Constitution of Panama was ratified on October 11, 1972. Articles 19, 35, 36, 45, 67, 94, 181 and 300 grant religious freedom, equality, and prohibit religious discrimination. Article 35 recognizes that the majority of Panamanians are Catholic and article 107 declares that Catholicism is to be taught in schools. Article 35 of the 1972 constitution states that “[a]ll religions may be professed and all forms of worship practiced freely, without any other limitation than respect for Christian morality and public order. It is recognized that the Catholic religion is practiced by the majority of Panamanians" (constituteproject.org). “Panama 1972 (Rev. 2004) Constitution.” Constitute. Accessed July 26, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Panama_2004.
Freedom of the Press	History	Article 37 of Panama’s 1972 Constitution protects press freedom: “Every person may express his/her opinion freely, either orally, in writing or by any other means, without being subject to prior censorship. Legal responsibility (liability) will, however, be incurred when by any of these means, the reputation or honor of persons is assailed, or when social security or public order is attacked" (Constitute Project, “ Panama’s Constitution of 1972 with Amendments through 2004” ).
Privacy Rights	History	Article 28 of the 1904 constitution keeps documents private (University of Michigan, “Constitution of the Republic of Panama”). The 1972 constitution reflects the same tone toward the privacy of documents in Article 29. Article 26 grants the home inviolable, though there is no blanket protection of privacy rights in the 1972 constitution (Constitute Project, “Panama 1972 rev. 2004” ). https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.35112104577715&view=1up&seq=12 https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Panama_ 2004? lang=en
Voting Rights and Suffrage	History	Article 135 states that it is the right and duty of all citizens of Panama to vote in their free, universal, direct, and secret elections. The voting age in Panama is 18. Article 150 states that the members of the National Assembly of Panama are voted into office. (Constitute Project, “ Panama’s Constitution of 1972 with Amendments through 2004” ).