PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 17/002/2007

10 December 2007

Further Information on UA 323/07 (MDE 17/001/2007, 4 December 2007) – Death Penalty/Imminent Execution

KUWAIT Marilou Ranario (f)

Marilou Ranario's death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment on 9 December, by Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

The Emir did this in response to a personal appeal by the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The Emir was quoted as saying, "Normally, I don't interfere in the judicial process … But since you are here to personally appeal for her, I will not sign the decree of execution. That is within my power ... I will reduce the penalty to life and when the other parties sign the forgiveness, I will further reduce the penalty,"

Filipina domestic worker Marilou Ranario had been arrested on 11 January 2005, the day after her employer was stabbed to death. According to her lawyer, she suffers from paranoia; she had been repeatedly ill-treated by her employer, and stabbed her because she feared further abuse. She was sentenced to death on 28 September 2005.

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