Aaghaz-e-Dosti here on today Urged Government of India and Pakistan regarding fishermen of both countries who are becoming victims due to conflict between the two countries. Aaghaz-e-Dosti is concerned for their wellbeing and their safe and speedy release from jails.
Recently, news reports surfaced regarding six Indian fishermen who were abducted by the Pakistan maritime agency and later were released. In the news a few days back, Indian BSF apprehended two Pakistani fishermen. Prior to this, it is reported that six Indian fishermen died in nine months in jails of Pakistan and prior to that two boats and sixteen Indian fishermen apprehended by Pakistan. With these reports, it is evident that Indian and Pakistani fishermen are regularly being apprehended by other sides for reasons mainly of defying maritime lines which the other side considers within their territorial limits.
Aaghaz-e-Dosti regularly raises the issue and is concerned with such incidents and arrests of fishermen of both sides. Aaghaz-e-Dosti observed that Pakistan and India have approx. 300-400 persons in their jails on an average as civilian prisoners and fishermen at any point of time.
Aaghaz-e-Dosti believes that the Government of India and Pakistan must act fast in cooperative manner and must end such arrests. Aaghaz-e-Dosti extended its sincere thanks to both governments that they already agreed on ceasefire which was also a long unresolved issue but after agreeing by both sides, now ceasefire violations are almost nil. As an initiative that look for positivity and works to contribute in a peaceful future for people of the subcontinent, Aaghaz-e-Dosti believe that nothing is difficult for governments and their sincere steps may prevent many fishermen lives, may support many fishermen families who are largely ignored in the other political and social issues.
Aaghaz-e-Dosti appeals with both the governments and requests that governments may consider following actions:-
Both governments should ensure the safety of fishermen. There should be provision of health check of these fishermen while their stay in jails on other side and reports should be communicated to home country and family of fishermen and their best care should be ensured on both sides
The list of fishermen should be made public by joint efforts of both the governments as sometimes even family members don’t know about their family members who are lodged in jail on the other side. By doing so, there is a chance that advocates and civil society members would like to take such cases to offer legal and humanitarian support. These details can be made public through an official portal, which can be made public through an official portal, which can be updated time to time as per arrest of new persons, release of existing and with updated case status.
Fishermen who are lodged on both sides should be released as they are not criminals and there are no such criminal charges against them. They have been caught in the sea while fishing and they deserve to be made free. In earlier years also, fishermen have been released by both sides of governments as a goodwill message but there should be a mechanism under which fishermen detention should be worked out to keep their jail term minimum.
All boats that are in captivity from any side should be released and should be returned to fishermen.
The Indo-Pak Joint Judicial committee that was formed in 2007 needs to be revived immediately. Its meeting could not happen since 2013 and hence there is an urgent need to revive this joint committee for larger welfare of fishermen.
Governments on both sides should work upon for a common agreement wherein Fishermen being caught at sea should be freed in sea with minimum penalties and their boats should not be confiscated.
Aaghaz-e-Dosti also appealed that both sides of governments should prepare a joint plan to deal with issues of prisoners and fishermen for a permanent solution.
