FILE PHOTO: Filipina drug convict and death row prisoner Mary Jane Veloso, clad in traditional Indonesian attire, is seen during a program celebrating Kartini Day in honor of Indonesian national hero and women’s rights activist Raden Kartini at Yogyakarta prison on April 21, 2015. – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) reminded the government on Monday, December 9, 2024, to uphold the Bangkok Rules as it welcomed the imminent return of Mary Jane Veloso, who was jailed in Indonesia for drug trafficking, to the Philippines. (Photo by Tarko SUDIARNO / Agence France-Presse)
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) reminded the government to uphold the Bangkok Rules as it welcomed the imminent return of Mary Jane Veloso, who was jailed in Indonesia for drug trafficking, to the Philippines.
According to the CHR, the Bangkok Rules – of the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders—are “the first international instrument that provides specific and detailed guidelines on responding to the gender-specific needs of women in the criminal justice system, as well as of the children of such women.”
Article continues after this advertisementVeloso is set to go back to the country after more than a decade of imprisonment in Indonesia, following an agreement between Jakarta and Manila.
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION CHR to gov't: Obey Bangkok Rules with return of Mary Jane Veloso to PH GLOBALNATION Syrians rejoice as Assad flees, ending brutal reign GLOBALNATION Ousted Syrian leader Assad flees to Moscow after fall of DamascusThe CHR explained that the Philippines’ adherence to the Bangkok Rules will ensure “that all efforts needed for constitutional actionable steps towards the reformation and possible reintegration of Veloso and the rest of the PDLs (persons deprived of liberty) to mainstream society are actualized.”
READ: Mary Jane Veloso may be in PH jail before Christmas
Article continues after this advertisement“The Commission expresses its full support for the significant efforts to help Veloso attain justice. This has opened a symbol of hope for other migrant workers that are facing the same condition whom we continue to fight for,” it added.
Article continues after this advertisementBased on reports, Veloso was sentenced to death after she was caught carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin inside her suitcase at Yogyakarta airport in Indonesia.
Article continues after this advertisementIn April 2015, during the administration of then-President Benigno S. Aquino III, the government’s negotiations with Indonesia led to Veloso’s reprieve.
READ: Timeline: The case of Mary Jane Veloso
Article continues after this advertisementLast November 19, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) revealed the agreement between the Philippine and Indonesian governments regarding Veloso’s return to the country to serve her remaining sentence.
“Along with the Executive, the CHR extends its sincerest gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto and the Indonesian government on this significant development, a stark proof of the continuous dialogue and diplomatic exchanges made with the Philippines to address Veloso’s situation,” the CHR said.
“The Commission thus applauds the efforts of President Marcos Jr. and the DFA for their continuous proactiveness for over a decade that allowed Veloso to finally have a chance to come back to her home country and her family while serving the rest of her sentence.”
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“To further contextualize the return of Veloso to the Philippinestmt play, it must be noted that this was arranged in accordance with Indonesia’s recent policy on the transfer of foreign prisoners to their home countries. Therefore, Veloso’s sentence will continue upon her arrival in the Philippines,” it added.
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