28 Acehnese Fishermen Return To Indonesia After Being Detained By Indian Authorities

28 Fishermen returned Aceh (doc. Between)

JAKARTA - A total of 28 fishermen on KM BSK 45 from Aceh were finally returned to Indonesia. They were detained by the Indian government since March 2020.

Based on a written statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the fishermen were detained by the Indian government on charges of entering the Andaman region without carrying complete documents and suspected of carrying out illegal fishing in Andaman waters.

Protection efforts were provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi since the beginning of detention. Protection is provided, among others, through legal assistance, consular visits to prisons, and provision of logistical assistance.

After undergoing a judicial process, on January 8, 2021, all 28 fishermen were successfully released. Before facilitating their return to Indonesia, the Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi also carried out a PCR swab test to ensure that fishermen were not exposed to COVID-19.

On arrival in Jakarta, the fishermen undergo quarantine according to the health protocol set by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also coordinates with the Aceh Government Liaison Agency and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries for the arrangement of their subsequent return and empowerment in their area of origin.

Throughout 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has attempted to release and return 22 fishermen from Aceh from India and 51 fishermen from Aceh from Thailand.

To prevent similar cases from recurring, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with the Aceh government and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to continue working on a Public Awareness Campaign as well as strengthening the capacity of fishermen to better understand the territorial boundaries of shipping and fishing.