(AMARC/IFEX) – According to the Pulsar news agency, on 19 September 1997, Panama’s immigration department delivered a deportation order to Peruvian journalist Gustavo Gorriti, associate director of the opposition daily “La Prensa”, for being in the country illegally. After signing the order, Gorriti told journalists in the capital that he and his lawyers would launch […]
(AMARC/IFEX) – According to the Pulsar news agency, on 19 September 1997,
Panama’s immigration department delivered a deportation order to Peruvian
journalist Gustavo Gorriti, associate director of the opposition daily “La
Prensa”, for being in the country illegally. After signing the order,
Gorriti told journalists in the capital that he and his lawyers would
launch a Supreme Court appeal. Pulsar reports that, with an appeal before
the justice system, Gorriti cannot be deported under Panamanian law.
Background Information
Panama’s Labour Minister refused to renew Gorriti’s work permit after it
expired on 28 August, claiming that, under the law, only Panamanians are
allowed to be directors of media outlets. According to “La Prensa”,
however, the move was in reprisal for Gorriti’s reports on alleged
irregularities and corruption in the government of President Ernesto Perez
Balladares. The move was denounced by international press organizations,
which urged Perez’s government to reconsider. But, these calls fell on deaf
ears and authorities are continuing their process to deport the Peruvian
journalist, says Pulsar (see IFEX alert).
