The use of the death penalty for drug-related offenses is one of the central issues Amnesty International has long highlighted. Hamid reaffirmed that the death penalty, particularly for drug-related crimes, violates fundamental human rights, including the right to life and protection from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. “The death penalty for drug offenses is not only unjust, but it also violates international human rights law,” he added.

The repatriation of Mary Jane Veloso is also seen as a symbolic shift in Indonesia’s stance on the death penalty. While the country remains one of the few in the world that still uses capital punishment for a wide range of offenses, the international community’s increasing rejection of the death penalty makes it clear that Indonesia must reconsider its position.

“This is an opportunity for Indonesia to reassess its approach to justice and move toward a more humane legal system,” Usman Hamid remarked.

Veloso’s case has drawn significant attention to Indonesia’s use of the death penalty. She was initially sentenced to death in 2010 for attempting to smuggle 2.6 kilograms of heroin into Indonesia from Malaysia. Her conviction and sentence sparked widespread debate, particularly in light of her claims that she had been duped into carrying the drugs by a human trafficking syndicate.

Veloso’s legal journey was fraught with complications. Her appeal for clemency was rejected by the Indonesian Supreme Court, and her scheduled execution in 2015 was delayed at the last minute. The delay came after the Philippine government intervened, requesting that Veloso be allowed to testify in a human trafficking case that involved the woman who allegedly tricked her into carrying the drugs. According to her lawyers, Veloso was denied proper legal representation and a translator during her initial police interrogation.

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