Statement from Ventosilla’s family “raises very serious questions that need clear and precise answers,” Harvard Kennedy School Principal Douglas Elmendorf speak. “Harvard Kennedy School supports the family’s call for an immediate and thorough investigation and public release of all relevant information, and the College stands with all friends and colleagues. by Rodrigo as well as with the LGBTQ+ community.”
Ventosilla’s family has asked the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to push for an investigation into the conduct of Indonesian authorities. But in a statement released this week, the ministry appeared to be siding with Indonesian officials on these events.
In one New information posted on August 22, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied that the actions of the Indonesian authorities were discriminatory and anti-transgender violence. The ministry said the seizure occurred because customs officers found pills with medical prescriptions and “objects with traces of marijuana, as well as various products made with the said substance.” .”
“To the public’s knowledge, Indonesia maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the possession of drugs and their derivatives, where one of the detained citizens would commit a serious crime,” the ministry said. under the strict laws of that country”.
It also says that the Peruvian Consulate has been in contact with local authorities to ensure that they work according to local laws and respect the rights of Ventosilla and Marallano.
Gianna Camacho, a spokeswoman for the Ventosilla family, told BuzzFeed News that it rejected the ministry’s statement, calling it “an insult to the family” and “bias” towards Sebastian and the family’s account.
They said: “We require a process to identify those responsible for the torture, extortion and human rights violations that Sebastián suffered and which led to Rodrigo’s death.
The spokesman said Marallano was back in Lima. Ventosilla’s body is expected to arrive on August 31.
The deterioration of LGBTQ rights in Indonesia has alarmed activists and human rights organizations. There is no law that explicitly prohibits same-sex relationships, and transgender people can change their gender on official documents after gender reassignment surgery. But authorities have relied on other laws to suppress LGBTQ people in the country. Report of violence and distinguish against the LGBTQ community in Indonesia is rampageand local activists said could get worse.
Indonesia also has some of the strictest drug laws in the world. Visitors from other countries were awarded death penalty for drug crimes in the past. Marijuana is considered a Class 1 drug, and possession can lead to years in prison and hefty fines.
Most prescription drugs are allowed into Indonesia, although authorities recommend bringing your doctor’s letter and the original prescription with it. International visitors have also detained in Indonesia for carrying medicine without a prescription.
