Government Returns Mary Jane To The Philippines, DPR: President Prabowo's Steps To Reward Human Rights

JAKARTA - Commission XIII of the House of Representatives supports the Government's decision to repatriate the death row convict of a narcotics case, Marry Jane Veloso, to the Philippines. This decision is referred to as a form of Indonesia's appreciation for the values of humanity and the principles of the agreement between nations.

"As a country that also ratifies the UN convention on eradicating illicit narcotics and psychotropic trafficking, the President has wisely considered Mary Jane's repatriation decision," Willy said, Wednesday, November 20.

The Indonesian government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto repatriated Mary Jane Veloso who was arrested in Yogyakarta in April 2010 after being caught carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin. He is a death row convict in a drug smuggling case.

During the trial, Mary Jane insisted that she was innocent and claimed the drugs were sewn in her suitcase without her knowledge. The Philippine government for more than a decade has been trying to carry out diplomacy so that Mary Jane can get clemency.

Because even though she was sentenced to death, Mary Jane still had a chance to get clemency even though she was rejected by the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi). According to Willy, the transfer priority steps taken by the current government against Mary Jane are a good precedent and need to be followed by other countries.

"This is proof of President Prabowo's appreciation for Human Rights. Humanitarian considerations and the principle of friendship between nations shown by the president," said the legislator from the East Java XI electoral district.

Willy added that Mary Jane's decision to repatriate could be President Prabowo Subianto's big capital for lobbying internationally. Because the Mary Jane case has long been a concern for human rights activists from various countries.

The record of the case process until the trial of Mary Jane, which can be accessed by the public, has become a topic of conversation because the procedure is considered not to meet the principles of the judiciary.

"Mr. President is certainly very mature in considering the UNODC mechanism as an appreciation for the sovereignty of Philippine law in international relations," said Willy.

The transfer of personnel in the United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) means that Mary Jane's case in the future will be handled by her home country, the Philippines. In the Philippines later, Marry Jane will be judged within the framework of her national law.

Therefore, Willy said that the steps taken by the Government regarding the Mary Jane case were the right one.

"This will set a precedent in other cooperative relations between Indonesia-Philippines and other countries," said the chairman of the Commission in the DPR in charge of reform matters for law enforcement and human rights.

With the Mary Jane case, according to Willy, President Prabowo will be more upright in fighting for Indonesia's interests in its diplomatic visits. The personal transfer measures taken by the Prabowo Government a month after its inauguration are considered to be the opening act for high-value diplomatic steps.

"This is if we count from the inauguration, exactly one month. This is a bright spot as President's capital for diplomacy in the international world," concluded Willy.