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Senniaf Urges Protection of Minors During San Miguelito Curfew Operations
🇵🇦 Panama /Crime & Justice

Senniaf Urges Protection of Minors During San Miguelito Curfew Operations

From TVN Panamá · (25m ago) Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Panama's National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Family (Senniaf) has issued a statement regarding the curfew in San Miguelito.
  • Senniaf emphasized that protective measures for minors must be ensured during curfew enforcement operations.
  • The agency reminded authorities that parents or legal guardians must be contacted immediately if a minor is temporarily detained for curfew violations, ensuring their safe return home.

The National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Family (Senniaf) has stepped in to clarify the application of the curfew in San Miguelito, ensuring that the protection of children and adolescents remains paramount. While the curfew, implemented through May 11, aims to control operations in critical areas, Senniaf has reminded authorities of their obligation to uphold Law 285, which prioritizes the well-being of minors.

La institución recordó que la Ley 285 del 15 de febrero de 2022, que regula el sistema de protección integral de la niñez y adolescencia, tiene aplicación en todo el territorio nacional y prevalece sobre disposiciones de carácter local.

— SenniafThe National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Family (Senniaf) reminded authorities that Law 285, which regulates the comprehensive protection system for children and adolescents, applies nationwide and supersedes local provisions.

Senniaf's directive is clear: any temporary detention of a minor for curfew violations must be followed by immediate contact with their parents or legal guardians. The goal is to ensure the child's swift and safe return home. The agency stressed that minors should not be held in official custody or sent to Senniaf unless there's a proven risk requiring special protection measures. Prolonged separation from family without locating guardians can be re-victimizing and cause emotional harm.

En ese sentido, reiteró que todas las acciones realizadas durante los operativos deben asegurar el respeto pleno de los derechos de los menores.

— SenniafSenniaf reiterated that all actions during operations must ensure the full respect for the rights of minors.

This intervention by Senniaf underscores the delicate balance between public security measures and the fundamental rights of children. While the curfew is a tool for managing specific areas, the agency's pronouncement serves as a crucial reminder that such measures cannot supersede the legal framework designed to protect the most vulnerable. The responsibility for curfew violations ultimately lies with the adults, who may face administrative sanctions, but the protection of minors during enforcement is non-negotiable.

Asimismo, la entidad enfatizó que los niños, niñas y adolescentes no deben ser puestos bajo custodia ni remitidos a la institución, salvo en situaciones excepcionales en las que exista un riesgo comprobado que justifique medidas de protección especiales.

— SenniafThe entity emphasized that children and adolescents should not be taken into custody or sent to the institution, except in exceptional situations where there is a proven risk justifying special protection measures.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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