abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 08/07/2011 12:07 AM | Updated as of 08/07/2011 6:14 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Some 15 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who are jailed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates are with their children inside the prison.
This information was leaked by a female OFW inmate who was recently released from Muraqabat prison for women in Dubai.
Filipino migrants rights group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) expressed shock over the inmate’s revelation.
"The information we just received is quite disturbing. The innocent children have been exposed to the adversities and bitter realities of prison life," M-ME regional director John Monterona said in a press statement.
An expatriate friend of Monterona, who works as a reporter in Dubai, confirmed that there are children inside the Muraqabat jail.
Monterona’s friend said the children "don't ever get to go out of the prison compound and receive no education."
Monterona said some of the inmates claimed that they gave birth inside the prison after their employers sent them to jail for charges such as stealing and illicit affairs.
Several inmates said they were sexually abused and got pregnant.
The condition of jailed OFWs in Dubai prompted Monterona to raise the matter to Migrante officers in Dubai. He has also asked the officers to communicate with the Philippine consulate officials in Dubai to provide assistance to the OFW inmates and their children.
"To ensure that they will be properly attended, we will coordinate with the PH post officials to arrange and prioritize attending their case and work for their immediate repatriation," said Monterona.
No comments:
Post a Comment