Indonesia in parleys with Burma for detained fishermen

by Salai Pi Pi
Monday, 30 November 2009 20:46

New Delhi (Mizzima) – Indonesian embassy officials in Rangoon on Monday said that they are negotiating with Burmese authorities regarding detained Indonesian fishermen, who along with Chinese, Taiwanese and Philippines were arrested in mid-November.

The Burmese Navy arrested more than 128 fishermen from China, Taiwan, Philippines and Indonesia from 10 Taiwanese fishing boats on November 18. The majority of the fishermen, more than 100 were Indonesians.

Dhyas Tikalista, Third Secretary of Information and Social-Cultural section of the Indonesian embassy in Rangoon on Monday told Mizzima that they are negotiating with the Burmese Home Ministry to sort out the issue of the detained fishermen, arrested from two separate locations - 104 fishermen in Coco Island and nine in Myeik Islands.

On the request of the Indonesian embassy, the detained Indonesian fishermen were shifted to Rangoon’s notorious Insein Jail from the Coco Island.

“We hope that we can settle the problem by negotiations on the grounds of friendship,” said Tikalista, adding she expects that the Indonesian fishermen would soon be allowed to go back home.

“They don’t know anything about whose territorial waters they had reached, as they were merely obeying the order of the boss. They are innocent,” Tikalista added.

Takalista said Burmese authorities have allowed Indonesian diplomats to regularly visit the fishermen in jail to provide clothes and other necessities.

“Their health is good,” she added. “We are also still trying to go to Myeik and have a look at the arrested. And we will see what we can do for them.”

Earlier this year, about 10 fishermen from Indonesia’s Aceh province were arrested by Burmese Navy. But they were later allowed to be taken back home after Indonesian diplomats negotiated with Burmese authorities.

Meanwhile Qin Gang, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry at a Press conference on Thursday said, Burmese authorities had informed that four Taiwanese and one from Mainland China were among the 128 foreign fishermen, on board 10 fishing vessels arrested in November 18.

Qin Gang said, China had requested Burmese authorities to handle the case properly in accordance with the law and to ensure the safety and legitimate rights and interests of the detained fishermen.

Similarly, a consular team from the Philippines Embassy in Rangoon had visited the 14 Filipino fishermen detained in Insein Prison twice, according to Philippine Foreign Ministry’s press release on Thursday.

During the two consular visits, the fishermen told the embassy officials that all their personal belongings, including passports and personal documents, had been confiscated by Burmese authorities, the press release said.

“Embassy personnel made representations with Myanmar [Burmese] authorities for the return of the Filipino fishermen’s passports and other belongings,” the Philippines Foreign Ministry said.

According to the Philippines Foreign Affairs Ministry, the fishermen are likely to be charged under the Immigration Act, which includes imprisonment up to three months, or a cash fine of up to Kyat 200 or US$30.72.

The ministry said the Philippines Embassy in Rangoon also discussed with Burmese authorities the immediate repatriation of the detained Filipinos, as well as making representations with the vessel owner for the payment of immigration fines.


Edited by Mungpi