Domestic workers are always get subjected to maltreatment and abuse. In 2019, the news of a Filipina domestic helper allegedly beaten to death by her employer circulated on social media. The relationship between Kuwait and the Philippines started to get heated resulting in the deployment ban of the latter.
But after a year of seeking justice, the Kuwaiti court imposed a death verdict on the female employer of the Filipina.
“After the criminal court passed the death sentence against the Kuwaiti female employer and jail term for the male employer of Jeanelyn Villavende, the case will still proceed to the Court of Appeals but the Philippine Government will pursue death sentence for such heinous crime committed against Villavende” says Mohammad Noordin Pendosina Lomondot, Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait.
It can be recalled that on December 28, 2019, a Filipina was taken to Al Sabah Hospital but was pronounced expired later on. Because of the bruises and wounds all over her body, it was reported to be a criminal case.
The Philippine Embassy later sought the assistance of Kuwaiti Human Rights Lawyer Sheikha Fawziah Al Sabah, who is a top lawyer in the field. Later that day, the suspects on the passing of the OFW was arrested.
The hearing for the case happened on February 8, 2020, and was attended by Philippine delegates. The lawyer of the female suspect requested that her client be allowed to return home but Lawyer Fawziah argued that the woman committed severe from. Then, the court didn’t approve the appeal.
In a social media post, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin posted the saying “Blood for Blood and life for life”, which later created dismay against Kuwaitis. But the Kuwaiti government is committed to seeking justice and even allowed the Philippines to join hands towards the investigation. Soon, the court found the female employer guilty of killing the Filipina maid out of jealousy and was given a verdict of death by hanging.
Source TimesKuwait
