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Political detainee Queen Mae Nasino, in full protective gear and handcuffs, says goodbye to her three-month-old baby, River, for the last time at the Manila North Cemetery. (Image by Kapatid)
MANILA, Philippines – Putting detained activist Reina Mae Nasino in quarantine for 21 days is like giving her a punishment of “bartolina,” as solitary confinement is commonly known in the Philippines.
Kapatid, a group made up of relatives of political prisoners, made that observation in a statement issued Wednesday, questioning the length of the quarantine.
Why is Queen Mae in isolation for 21 days when the WHO [World Health Organization] and DOH [Department of Health] the guideline for the COVID-19 quarantine is only 14 days? “Kapatid spokesman Fides Lim said.” This is like putting her through the bartolin, which is a form of punishment when placing an inmate in closed confinement. “
“The United Nations considers solitary confinement for more than 15 days to be torture,” he added.
Nasino, who is facing a case of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, was released from jail on October 16 to attend the wake and burial of his three-month-old daughter River.
Lim said that Kapatid members were concerned about Nasino’s quarantine conditions, as he was not allowed to receive visitors.
They also feared that he might develop psychological conditions given the things he had recently been through.
“We are deeply concerned by the information transmitted by Reina Mae to her mother Marites during her burial about the 21-day quarantine in which she will be alone. This is too long and very worrying, ”Lim said. “We cannot directly determine their status as visits are not yet allowed due to the continued closure of the prison due to the pandemic.”
Nasino was one of several activists arrested in 2019 during search operations at the offices of various non-governmental organizations. I didn’t know then that I was already one month pregnant.
She gave birth to River last July. The court denied her request to be temporarily released or to allow River to stay with her in the Manila city jail so that he could care for her.
Nasino’s case came to attention after his camp tried to plead with the court to allow him to visit his sick son, who was showing symptoms of COVID-19.
River died in the intensive care unit of the Philippine General Hospital without the court acting on his request.
River’s burial was marred by the presence of staff from the Bureau of Prison Administration and Penology and the Philippine National Police who reportedly interfered with the family’s preferences for burying the boy.
During the funeral march, law enforcement officers ordered the hearse driver to accelerate, leaving the mourners behind.
Later, the court shortened Nasino’s permission.
Lim appealed to the authorities.
“Queen Mae Nasino has already been through much heartache that no one should suffer. However, we fear retaliation against her when what she needs now is psychological support and not prolonged isolation that can exacerbate anxiety and depression, ”Lim said.
“After everything that has happened, she should be released from jail, even if it is conditional, for a matter of justice,” he added.
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