Migrants' rights activists in Indonesia welcomed on Friday the government's decision to pay $1.8 million to free one of its citizens on death row in Saudi Arabia, just days before she was to be executed for murdering her employer.
Satinah, a 41-year old migrant domestic worker, was convicted of killing her Saudi employer in 2007 but said she had acted in self-defence after her boss allegedly physically abused her. She was sentenced to death by beheading.
The government, which announced its decision on a website on Thursday, had come under fire over Satinah's case after initially saying it could not raise the money in time. Celebrities and activists spearheaded a fundraising campaign.
As allowed by Saudi law, the victim's family had initially demanded $4 million in "blood money" to spare the maid's life, but agreed to lower the amount after years of negotiations with the Indonesian government.
Hundreds of mostly female Indonesian migrant workers go abroad in search of work every year, but often face abusive working conditions in destinations like Malaysia, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. These workers contribute millions of dollars to the Indonesian economy annually in remittances.
The case of an Indonesian maid beaten by her employer in Hong Kong prompted mass rallies this year and graphic photos of her injuries were made public. The employer was brought before a court before being released on bail.
Indonesia imposed a moratorium on sending domestic workers to Saudi Arabia in 2011 after another maid was beheaded for killing her employer. The ban remains in effect.
NGO Migrant Care says 45 migrant workers could face the death penalty in Saudi Arabia "if the Indonesian government doesn't defend their rights".culled
God bless them for raising d funds to free their own... nigerians abroad r being killed daily n our dear president turns blind eyes to their plight... It is well
ReplyDeleteTGIM thank God it's Monday ...#sipsMoetnChandon#
ReplyDeleteSo killing in self-defence na crime for yonder? Weren't there evidence of physical abuse on d said maid?
ReplyDeleteSha this maid is quite lucky_and nice job to d activists that made this happen.
If it a trend,that is malaysians being maltreated abroad,then I'm not opposed to paying for her release!
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile,the govt. Should make their country ok for its citizens so that they won't have to go in search of "greener pastures" instead of bailing them with huge sums,they should make the country better.
In case of Nigeria,our country is bad and they cannot spend this kind of money on a whole state not to talk of one person,so where is the money???
Wow....dats a country dat values their own, n nigeriaNs r bein slaughtered here n there n our govt sidon dey look like dog wey im master travel.
ReplyDeleteWhen can Naija ever take this great leap?
ReplyDeleteI sorry for Nigeria
They value their citizens. Nigerian Politician will prefer to steal that money and send to a private account in Europe or America.
ReplyDeleterich saudi men are known to maltreat people and think they can use money to buy everything......very good for the boss.....
ReplyDeleteI pray one day our leaders will protect their own wherever they are.
ReplyDelete