Indians lobby on criminalisation

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Indian seafarers are still facing the risk of criminalisation, according to the Indian Seafarers’ Federation. The Federation is lobbying the Indian government to intervene in a number of cases where seafarers are being unjustly held.

In July, the federation met with the Indian minister of shipping, GK Vasan. Delegates included NUSI secretary and treasurer Abdulgani Y Serang and NUSI president Shanti Patel.

Also present were Jasprit Chawla and Syam Chetan, the two seafarers who were detained by the Korean government for 18 months before their release in June. The case of the Hebei Two attracted headlines around the world.

Unfortunately, it seems as if lessons have not been learned from this case and seafarers are still being scapegoated. The group expressed concern over the ongoing criminalisation of Indian seafarers on Indian vessels as well as on ships registered elsewhere.

At the time of writing, there were two outstanding cases of criminalisation.

Captain Glen Aroza, from Mangalore, former master of the Tosa, has been held in Taiwan since April this year after being accused of failing to aid a capsized fishing vessel. Sakib Sakharkar, from Ratnagiri, has been held in Algeria since August 2008 after a stowaway on board the vessel on which he served died. Vasan promised to look positively into the issues.

The Indian Seafarers’ Federation has also sought support from the external affairs ministry and the maritime administration.

Abdulgani Y Serang said: “The ITF, the Hong Kong Shipowners’ Association and other shipping associations nationally and internationally have strongly condemned the wrongful criminalisation of seafarers and have sought justice for the two detained Indian seafarers. That’s what we are seeking too.”

SS Khan, MUI general secretary, added: “We are hoping that our appeal for intervention from the Indian government will help our campaign to stamp out this shameful practice.”

The federation represents ITF affiliates, National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) and the Maritime Union of India (MUI).

Hebei Two give thanks

Captain Jasprit Singh Chawla, one of the two seafarers released in June following 18 months of detention in South Korea, has conveyed his thanks to all who supported him. He and chief officer Syam Chetan were detained after their vessel, the Hebei Spirit, was hit by a crane barge, causing an oil spill.

In an email addressed to the ITF on 15 July, Chawla says: “Thanks to you, I am finally back home with my loved ones. I feel Samsung tried everything to prove us guilty and keep us back in Korea but the support and determination from you and the whole of the shipping community was so strong that it minimised their efforts.

“I don’t think I would ever be able to thank each and every individual who came forward to support us. I am finding it difficult to find words to show my feelings as the word ‘thanks’ looks too insignificant to express my feelings.

“On coming back, the support and love which I received from my fellow seafarers and others was very touching as they understood what we all went through. Many of them offered their full support to help us prove we were fully innocent.

“Please do convey my thanks to all other people with you on behalf of me and my family for believing in me.”

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Issue 37 - October 2009

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