UN wants execution of Filipino, other drug smugglers stopped

BERLIN — The United Nations human rights office has called on Indonesia to refrain from executing convicted drug smugglers, saying that the death penalty won't stop narcotics trafficking.

Ten convicted smugglers from Australia, Nigeria, Brazil, France, Ghana, Indonesia and Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso from the Philippines are scheduled to be executed soon.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights says "there is no evidence that the death penalty deters drug crimes."

Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the Geneva-based agency, said Friday that the government of Indonesia should exercise its right to grant the convicts clemency.

He said carrying out the executions would weaken Indonesia's position when arguing on behalf of its own nationals facing the death penalty abroad.

The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), meanwhile, questioned some details of court proceedings against Veloso, particularly the appointment of a student translator during her trial.

"We are questioning the accuracy of information. If you are appointed as court translator, you should be qualified," DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said.

The convicted smugglers, including Veloso, arrived Wednesday at an Indonesian island prison where they will be executed by firing squad amid a diplomatic squabble with some of their governments.

Veloso, 30, had maintained that she was asked by a friend to carry bags containing heroin. She said was not aware of the suitcases' contents. - with Philstar.com