File photo of rally in support of Mary Jane Veloso
The
labor group Partido Manggagawa added its voice to the call for clemency for
migrant worker Mary Jane Veloso. “Clemency for Mary Jane Veloso is a fitting
Xmas gift to a bagong bayani,” stated Judy Miranda, Partido Manggagawa (PM)
secretary general.
Veloso
has asked President Bong Bong Marcos, Jr. to grant her clemency after she was
detained at the Women’s Correctional facility upon her return to the
Philippines. She was released by the Indonesian government after lengthy
negotiations and a long-running campaign to spare her the death penalty in
Indonesia.
“Aside
from Mary Jane, we also ask that elderly and sickly political detainees be
granted clemency on humanitarian grounds. They all deserve to spend the holiday
season with their families in their homes,” Miranda explained.
PM
has been involved in campaigns for the freedom of political detainees in the
country as well as Veloso since she was convicted and sentenced to die in an
Indonesia court.
Miranda added that “Mary Jane is a symbol for all the hardships endured by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). If we truly believe that migrant workers are bagong bayani then we should extend every assistance to OFWs facing difficulties. Heroes do not have to be dead to be honored.”
Press Release
December 19, 2024
No comments:
Post a Comment