On Christmas Day in the Philippines, and Christmas Eve overseas, ICHRP-Canada made the following appeal to the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr to grant executive clemency to Mary Jane Veloso.
December 24, 2024
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Complex, J.P. Laurel Street
San Miguel, 1005 Manila City
Subject: Christmas Appeal for Executive Clemency for Mary Jane Veloso
Dear Mr. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.,
On Christmas Eve, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines – Canada chapter (ICHRP) joins the international community and the Filipino people in fully supporting the appeals of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL), and the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) for the President of the Philippines to grant Ms. Mary Jane Veloso immediate clemency by Christmas.
As a coalition of Canadian labour unions, ecumenical faith communities, academic institutions, migrant groups, and community organizations, ICHRP Canada celebrates in Ms. Veloso’s repatriation and the conclusion of her imprisonment and isolation in Indonesia. However, we are deeply disheartened by her subsequent re-imprisonment in the Philippines.
Mr. President, ICHRP Canada echoes the NUPL’s analysis that there are no legal barriers preventing your office from granting legal clemency for their client. The IADL highlighted that when five death row convicts of the Bali Nine case were repatriated from Indonesia, the Australian government immediately freed its citizens. Both Ms. Veloso’s legal representation and Philippine Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez have confirmed that the Indonesian government gave your administration full discretion to determine the next legal steps for Ms. Veloso. Indonesia did not set any conditions blocking Ms. Veloso’s release.
Ms. Veloso has suffered an egregiously unjust trial, a harrowing narrow escape from execution, and nearly 15 years of poor conditions and isolation from her family, community, and country. Ms. Veloso is home – but to achieve justice and healing for herself and her two children, she should be free.
In an open letter urging your office to grant clemency to Ms. Veloso, the PCPR emphasizes the importance of her family and faith. Granting her clemency would not only serve as a meaningful Christmas gift but also provide a vital opportunity for Ms. Veloso to begin rebuilding her life and reconnecting with her community during a season that celebrates both family and faith.
On December 19th, you announced that your administration would defer to the judgment of Philippine legal experts regarding the appropriateness of granting clemency. Since then, statements from NUPL, IADL, other legal experts, and members of your administration have demonstrated a clear legal basis for granting immediate clemency to Ms. Veloso.
As Christmas Eve arrives, ICHRP Canada stands resolutely in support of these calls and respectfully urges your office, as President of the Philippines, to grant her clemency without further delay.
Sincerely,
Luthfi Mawarid
Chairperson
ICHRP Canada
Cc:Jesus Crispin C. RemullaSecretary, Department of Justice of the PhilippinesEmail: communications@doj.gov.ph, osecmig@gmail.com
Richard Palpal-latocChairperson, Commission on Human Rights of the PhilippinesEmail: ocrpp@chr.gov.phMaria Andrelita S. AustriaAmbassador, Embassy of PhilippinesOttawa, CanadaEmail: embassyofphilippines@rogers.com