People’s Victory in the Relentless Struggle for Justice for Mary Jane Veloso!
The International Women's Alliance and all our members around the world celebrate the absolute pardon of Mary Jane Veloso after 16 years of demanding justice and freedom! Veloso was arrested while working as a domestic worker in Indonesia on charges of drug trafficking which placed her on death row. Yet from the beginning, serious failures in the legal process undermined her ability to defend herself and assert her innocence. During the police investigation, she had no meaningful access to legal advice or an adequate interpreter, and the Philippine government repeatedly failed to come to her aid to provide her with support.
A relentless international campaign was launched to demand justice for Mary Jane. Her family and supporters saw the election of three different Philippine presidents, each of whom failed their legal obligation to provide legal assistance to distressed migrant workers facing charges abroad. Despite this, the campaign experienced a number of victories - including a stay of execution in 2015, her repatriation in 2024, and now her full pardon. Each time it was clear that the pressure from organizations in the Philippines and Indonesia, as well as migrant and women's organizations globally were able to continue to advance the campaign and bring justice for Mary Jane!
In 2024 Mary Jane was repatriated to the Philippines after the two governments reached an agreement, she saw her sons for the first time since she left the Philippines in 2010. Her emotional reunion with her sons and parents further amplified her case and drew more attention to the neglect she experienced when being wrongfully charged.
Mary Jane’s case exposed the brutal vulnerabilities created by the Philippines’ labor-export system, where migrant workers can be deceived, exploited, separated from their families, and left without adequate protection. Her freedom is a victory for every migrant worker fighting exploitation and state neglect. Mary Jane Veloso deserved to be free and her freedom was won through struggle, solidarity, and justice.
Mary Jane’s pardon therefore cannot be understood as charity or justice handed down from above. It is a hard-won victory built through 16 years of relentless organizing by her family, Filipino women, migrant workers, human rights organizations, and movements in the Philippines, Indonesia, and more.The victory of the campaign can only be attributed to the commitment of organizations to continue to uplift her case and to never be satisfied until her full release was won!
The International Women’s Alliance celebrates this victory with the hope that Mary Jane’s freedom will inspire migrant workers around the world who face family separation, workplace abuse, and state neglect. Her victory reminds us that justice is possible—and that it is won through collective struggle by those who refuse to stop demanding it. Speaking on behalf of GABRIELA, secretary-general Clarice Palce said: “Let this victory be a lesson: when the people unite and refuse to be silenced, justice becomes possible.” IWA echos this sentiment and hopes all our members find hope to continue the fight amidst this people's victory for justice!