Fishermen's arrest a 'humanitarian' crisis

HRCP calls for sustained intervention to address 'human tragedy'

LAHORE:

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has released a comprehensive regional policy framework addressing the protection of the human rights of fishermen who are inadvertently caught across the maritime borders of Pakistan and India.

The report highlights the plight of poor fishermen from both countries, the discriminatory treatment they face in prisons, and the devastating impact of their detention on their families.

According to the report, dozens of Pakistani and Indian fishermen are arrested each year in the Arabian Sea for unintentionally crossing maritime boundaries. Most of these fishermen belong to impoverished coastal communities and are detained for extended periods without trial, completely cut off from their families.

The HRCP has emphasized that the arrest of fishermen should be treated as a humanitarian concern rather than a matter of national security or political dispute. "This is not a political issue but a human tragedy that can no longer be ignored," said HRCP Director Tahira Hasan.

The report attributes the primary cause of these arrests to the lack of clearly demarcated maritime boundaries between the two countries.

Many fishermen, lacking modern navigation equipment, unknowingly stray into foreign waters and are arrested. Once incarcerated, they often endure years in prison, while their families suffer immense emotional and financial hardships.

Based on two years of research, including interviews with over 100 affected families and an analysis of international laws, the HRCP has put forward several concrete recommendations.

These include mandatory notification to families and consular officials within 24 hours of an arrest, clear maritime boundary demarcation, joint monitoring of border areas, prevention of custodial violence, provision of medical care, and regular communication rights for detainees with their families.

The report also includes heartbreaking testimonies from families on both sides of the border.