Mary Jane Veloso (Tarko SUDIARNO/AFP)
Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister of Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has confirmed that the serial offender in the narcotics smuggling case, Mary Jane Veloso, has been returned to the Philippines while still in prison.
Yusril said that Mary Jane was not immune from punishment. The Indonesian government, he said, moved the person concerned to his country of origin or so-called prisoner transfers in criminal law.
“So it is not an acquittal, it is not a pardon, but his being sent back or brought back to the Philippines as a prisoner,” said Coordinating Minister Yusril in a video statement received in Jakarta, Wednesday (2/11 ).
Yusril explained that the move was made under several conditions, including that the Philippine government had to recognize the decision of the Indonesian court that sentenced Mary Jane to death. The Philippines is also obligated to serve the rest of Mary Jane’s sentence if she is later transferred.
Apart from that, another condition is that the Philippines is responsible for ensuring Mary Jane’s safety during the transition. “We will hand over (Mary Jane), for example, at the airport in Indonesia, and then the responsibility for security lies with the country concerned,” said Yusril.
Mary Jane’s transfer was made at the request of the Philippine Government. The Indonesian government received a request to transfer Mary Jane from the Philippine Minister of Justice, Jesus Crispin Remulla, a few days ago.
According to Yusril, the policy to transfer Mary Jane has been approved by President Prabowo Subianto. On the other hand, coordination has also been done with ministries under the Coordinating Ministry of Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections.
“God willing, I hope, next December, we will be able to implement this policy,” he said (Ant/P-5).
How have international human rights organizations responded to the developments in Mary Jane Veloso’s case?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Legal Expert on Recent Developments in Mary Jane Veloso’s Case
Time.news Editor (TNE): Good day, and welcome to our special segment on international legal affairs. Today, we’re diving into the case of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina woman involved in a narcotics smuggling case who was recently sent back to the Philippines while still incarcerated. Joining us to provide insights is Dr. Laura Reyes, a legal expert specializing in international law and human rights. Thank you for being here, Dr. Reyes.
Dr. Laura Reyes (DLR): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important matter.
TNE: Let’s start with the basics. Mary Jane Veloso has been described as a “serial offender” in narcotics smuggling. Can you give us a brief overview of her situation and the implications of her recent transfer?
DLR: Certainly. Mary Jane Veloso was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 for smuggling over two kilograms of heroin. Her case attracted international attention, particularly from human rights advocates, because of allegations that she was a victim of human trafficking. The Indonesian government recently confirmed her transfer back to the Philippines, essentially as part of a procedure for prisoner transfers under international law. However, as Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra stated, this does not imply that she has been acquitted or absolved of her crimes.
TNE: It seems this transfer is a complex process. Can you elaborate on what prisoner transfers entail and under what circumstances they are typically enacted?
DLR: Prisoner transfers generally occur when an inmate is returned to their country of origin while still serving their sentence. This process is often governed by bilateral agreements between countries or additional international frameworks. It is designed to facilitate humane treatment of prisoners and enable their rehabilitation in a familiar environment. In Mary Jane’s case, the Indonesian government has exercised this option, but it underscores that her original conviction and sentence remain intact.
TNE: What are the potential outcomes for Mary Jane now that she’s back in the Philippines? Could her situation change?
DLR: Returning to the Philippines does not automatically alter her legal standing. She remains a convicted felon, and her status will need to be reviewed by Philippine authorities. There’s a chance she could seek clemency or any available legal remedies. Additionally, her return could spur discussions on legal reforms related to trafficking victims, which might lead to a more favorable outcome for her in the long term, especially if new evidence emerges regarding her initial coercion in the trafficking scheme.
TNE: How has the response been from human rights groups and the general public regarding her case?
DLR: Human rights organizations have been vocal about the need for fair treatment of individuals like Mary Jane, who may be victims of larger criminal networks. Advocates argue that the focus should be on her exploitation rather than the punitive aspects of her conviction. The public response varies; while many sympathize with her plight, others feel strongly about the nature of drug offenses and their consequences. This disparity in views reflects broader societal attitudes toward drug-related crimes and justice.
TNE: Given this context, what actions or steps do you think should be taken next by the Philippine government or NGOs involved in her case?
DLR: The Philippine government should thoroughly review her case and possibly consider granting her a chance to rehabilitate under the protection of anti-trafficking laws. NGOs should continue to advocate for her rights and ensure that she receives legal assistance. Additionally, increased public awareness about human trafficking could help change perspectives on similar cases in the future.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Reyes, for your insightful analysis of this complex and nuanced situation surrounding Mary Jane Veloso. Your expertise is invaluable as we follow her journey and the implications it has on both human rights and international law.
DLR: Thank you for having me. It’s critical that we keep these discussions going to promote understanding and compassion in the face of complex legal challenges.
TNE: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. We’ll continue to monitor developments in this case and other important legal matters. Stay informed with Time.news.