PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 17/001/2009

26 June 2009

Further Information on UA 87/08 (MDE 17/001/2008, 04 April 2008) – Death penalty

KUWAIT May Membriri Vecina (f), aged 29, Filipina National

Filipina domestic worker May Membriri Vecinawas pardoned on 1 June by the Amir of Kuwait. She should be returned to the Philippines on 24 June. The Amir had commuted her death sentence to life imprisonment in July 2008.

May Membriri Vecina, who has two children, had been sentenced to death in July 2007 for the murder of her employer's youngest child. At her trial, her lawyer claimed that she had been "temporarily insane” at the time, and May Membriri Vecina explained that her employer had physically and mentally abused her.

Many thanks to all who sent appeals. No further action is requested from the UA network.