The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday, Dec. 9, asked the government to ensure that the United Nations (UN) rules on the handling of women prisoners are observed for convicted drug courier Mary Jane Veloso once she returns to the Philippines.

In  a statement, the CHR specifically referred to "the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders or the Bangkok Rules.”

“This is to ensure that all efforts needed for constitutional actionable steps towards the reformation and possible reintegration of Veloso and the rest of the PDLs (persons deprived of liberty) to mainstream society are actualized.”

Wikipedia says the Bangkok Rules "give guidance to policy makers, legislators, sentencing authorities and prison staff to reduce the imprisonment of women, and to meet the specific needs of women in case of imprisonment."

The CHR expressed its "full support for the significant efforts to help Veloso attain justice.” 

“This has opened a symbol of hope for other migrant workers who are facing the same condition whom we continue to fight for. Attached to our Constitutional mandate to promote and protect the rights of every Filipino, including our migrant workers, the Commission remains steadfast in ensuring that no violations to their human rights are being committed against them,” it stressed. 

It said its statement was issued after the Philippines and Indonesia signed last Friday, Dec. 6, an agreement to transfer Veloso back to her home country.

It noted that "the return of Veloso to the Philippines is in accordance with Indonesia’s recent policy on the transfer of foreign prisoners to their home countries.”

Veloso had been sentenced to death after being caught with 2.6 kilograms of heroin upon her arrival at the Yogkarta airport in Indonesia in 2010.

“The Commission thus applauds the efforts of the President Marcos  and the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) for their continuous proactiveness for over a decade that allowed Veloso to finally have a chance to come back to her home country and her family while serving the rest of her sentence,” it said. 

“CHR commends the initiative of the current Philippine authorities in pursuing justice beyond our own territorial bounds,” it added. 

The CHR pointed out “promoting and protecting the dignity of every Filipino will always include our migrant workers, parallel to our foreign policy which also prioritizes the welfare of Filipinos overseas.”

While Veloso is expected to continue serving her sentence in the Philippines, the CHR noted that President Marcos has made assurance that “the government will study the option of granting clemency to Veloso.”