Freedom And Justice for Human Trafficking Victim Mary Jane Veloso

Auckland Philippines Solidarity (APS) warmly congratulates the advocacy group Migrante International, the National Union of People’s Lawyers and their global network of supporters for the inspiring campaign to save the life of human trafficking victim Mary Jane Veloso.

The case provides a good opportunity not only to highlight the abhorrent nature of the death penalty but also the economic injustices which force migrants in desperation to seek work abroad.

Mary Jane is the daughter of a former agricultural worker in the Hacienda Luisita - the over 6,000-hectare sugar plantation owned by the family of President Benigno Cojuangco Aquino where workers like the parents of Mary Jane are paid slave-like wages. Over the years, genuine land reform has never been implemented despite landmark Supreme Court ruling. New Zealanders were among the international trade union activists who joined fact finding missions in the Hacienda following the 2004 massacre of protesting farm workers. They saw first-hand the impoverished and desperate situation of the workers in this land owned by the family of President Aquino.

The land at the Hacienda Luisita needs to be finally distributed to its workers.

We call on President Aquino make real efforts to tackle the long-standing issues of landlessness and economic inequality in the Philippines. We believe this will ensure there are fewer desperate people for drug trafficking gangs and other nefarious groups to take advantage of.

Cameron Walker

Auckland Philippines Solidarity (APS)

ENDS

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