Canadian Broadcasting journalist held at Tocumen
A researcher for the CanadIan Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), was held incommunicado for four hours at Tocumen airport on Jan 21, denied entry, and put on an outward bound plane.
Rosie Simms was traveling ahead of a film crew due to arrive in Panama on Monday, January 30, to begin an investigation of Canadian mining practices in Panama and other parts of Latin America. It will be broadcast on The National, Canada’s most watched news program which is also transmitted to the United States.
She was denied consular access and was told that there was an impedimento on her passport, but it was put on after she arrived. The CBC asked the Canadian embassy to investigate.
The Environmental Advocacy Center (CIAM)described the incident as “deplorable”
In a statement CIAM argues that these facts violate the Constitution and international law, specifically the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the American Convention on Human Rights, both ratified by Panama.
He also points out that the journalist Simms was never notified of the existence of a migration process against her and had not been issued an impediment for entry into Panama. According to CIAM, these actions constitute a violation of due process and were implemented in order to prevent him her exercising legal remedies to which he was entitled.
An immigration spokesman would not comment on the subject.
In 2011, journalist Paco Gómez Nadal was expelled from Panama for involvement with indigenous protests against the development of mining and hydroelectric projects in their districts.
Recently, the Supreme Court drew attention to the Immigration Department for having prevented from entering the country ta businessman from India residing in Panama, without being notified of the reasons for this decision and without legal assistance.
Reports are circulating that the Reuters correspondent visa renewal has been denied
