Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra has confirmed that Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino on death row for drug trafficking who will be transferred back to her home country, will be permanently barred from reentering Indonesia.
"Foreign prisoners who are returned to their home countries will be blacklisted from entering Indonesia. For drug offenders, this ban is for life," he said on Thursday (28/11/2024).
The minister clarified that her legal status in Indonesia remains intact, even if the Philippines grants her clemency or a sentence reduction. Once repatriated, her permanent entry ban will remain enforceable, as Indonesia upholds strict measures against drug-related offenses.
Mary Jane, sentenced to death in 2010 by Sleman District Court in Yogyakarta, will be transferred to the Philippines following a formal request from Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
While the Philippines does not enforce the death penalty, she will serve her remaining sentence there.
Minister Yusril added that Indonesia imposes varying entry bans for foreign nationals, but drug offenders face lifelong restrictions.
"Once blacklisted, they cannot return—this applies universally," he said, as quoted by antaranews.com.
The transfer process is underway, with technical details being finalized by Indonesia and the Philippines.
(mg/inp/pr/nm)