Indonesia to repatriate death-row convict to the Philippines

The move comes after years of international pressure, particularly from human rights groups and the Philippine government

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Cesar and Celia Veloso, parents of Mary Jane Veloso, join a protest rally to mark the 161th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, widely considered a national hero in Philippine history, in Manila. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:01pm, 6 Dec 2024

Indonesia and the Philippines signed an agreement on Friday to repatriate a Filipino woman who has been on death row in Indonesia since 2010.

The move to send Mary Jane Veloso back to the Philippines before Christmas comes after years of international pressure, particularly from human rights groups and the Philippine government, which has long maintained that she was a victim of human trafficking rather than an active criminal.

“We are not granting clemency or a pardon, but we have agreed to send her back to the Philippines,” said Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Indonesia’s minister for law, human rights and corrections, after a meeting with Philippine Deputy Justice Secretary Raul Vasquez in Jakarta.

“The responsibility for her rehabilitation will now lie with the Philippine government,” Yusril said.

Mary Jane Veloso was sentenced to death after being caught attempting to smuggle over 2.5kg (5.5 pounds) of heroin in 2010. Photo: AFP

Veloso was sentenced to death after being caught attempting to smuggle over 2.5kg (5.5 pounds) of heroin in 2010. Her supporters argue that she was coerced into carrying the drugs by a human trafficking syndicate, and did not knowingly participate in the crime.