Indonesia Boats Rescue Foreign Fisherman

[Jacob Maslow]

Ship on a mooring about tropical island. Thailand. Ko Larn. STOCK PHOTO

Hundreds of foreign fisherman were rescued from an isolated island on Friday. Indonesian officials are investigating reported abuses in the fishing industry. Out of concern for the men’s safety, Indonesian rescue boats offered to take the men away from the island.

When word spread that help had arrived, the men, some from Cambodia and Myanmar, rushed to the boats. Some jumped through windows to ensure they wouldn’t be left behind.

The small boat stopped at several trawlers to pick up men who wanted to leave. The boat was soon filled with 30 men.

Any fishermen who were Thai nationals were left on the island. The majority of the boat’s captains were from Thailand.

Initially, 20 men from Myanmar were given word that they would be moved from Benjina village to Tual Island for their safety after being interviewed by Indonesian officials on Friday. When news spread that the men were leaving the island, many others filed in and sat on the floor, hoping for a chance to follow.

Asep Burhundun, an Indonesian official, was asked if men who were hiding in the jungle could come as well. The official stated that all the men could come, and they did not want to leave anyone behind.

Benjina village has limited security. Only two people from the Indonesian navy are stationed there. Out of concern for the men’s safety, officials moved them to a nearby island, which was a 12-hour boat ride away. Once they arrive, the men will stay at the Ministry of Fisheries facility and their identities will be verified.

-- 2015-04-03

[scorecard]

Please don't try to tell me that Thai officials (many different agencies) were not aware of the fishermen being held like this one year ago, two, three, five years ago.

IMHO this is a crime against humanity and the fishermen should receive justice and compensation.

Just as important is that the officials (all officials, politicians etc., regardless of colour) who have turned a blind eye, the job agencies & traffickers and the companies who have profited should also be punished severely with long jail sentences and confication of all of their assets.

The time is ripe for strong examples of punishment.

Hopefully from what's just happened in Indonesia this means further investigation and punishment of Indonesians involved.

I certainly hope so for several reasons:

- The local Indonesian fishermen who have been ill treated get justice and compensation.

- Officials and companies get severely punished.

- It sets a precedent (perhaps ASEAN precedent) which would make it more difficult for Thailand to not fully investigate and punish.

[dcutman]

The findings documented by Indonesian officials and the AP came in stark contrast to what a Thai delegation reported from a visit to Benjina earlier this week to find trafficked Thai nationals. They denied mistreatment on the boats and said the crews were all Thai, even though the AP found many migrant workers from other countries are issued fake documents with Thai names and addresses.

"We examined the boats and the crews, and the result is most of the crews are happy and a few of them are sick and willing to go home," said Thai police Lt. Gen. Saritchai Anekwiang, who was leading the delegation. "Generally, the boat conditions are good."

http://news.yahoo.com/fishermen-rush-rescued-amid-indonesian-slavery-probe-053153555.html

Apparently Indonesian officials and the international press didnt get this report.

[Bluespunk]

"Asep Burhundun, an Indonesian official, was asked if men who were hiding in the jungle could come as well. The official stated that all the men could come, and they did not want to leave anyone behind."

Good to see there are officials who do the right thing.

Under pressure I'm sure, because of recent publicity, but nonetheless he's doing the right thing rather than trying to look like he is.

[scorecard]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The findings documented by Indonesian officials and the AP came in stark contrast to what a Thai delegation reported from a visit to Benjina earlier this week to find trafficked Thai nationals. They denied mistreatment on the boats and said the crews were all Thai, even though the AP found many migrant workers from other countries are issued fake documents with Thai names and addresses.

"We examined the boats and the crews, and the result is most of the crews are happy and a few of them are sick and willing to go home," said Thai police Lt. Gen. Saritchai Anekwiang, who was leading the delegation. "Generally, the boat conditions are good."

http://news.yahoo.com/fishermen-rush-rescued-amid-indonesian-slavery-probe-053153555.html

Apparently Indonesian officials and the international press didnt get this report.

Happy to be held in detention when not on the trawler?

Dear general please take a look at Lt. Gen. Saritchai Anekwiang, who was leading the delegation.

[dcutman]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The findings documented by Indonesian officials and the AP came in stark contrast to what a Thai delegation reported from a visit to Benjina earlier this week to find trafficked Thai nationals. They denied mistreatment on the boats and said the crews were all Thai, even though the AP found many migrant workers from other countries are issued fake documents with Thai names and addresses.

"We examined the boats and the crews, and the result is most of the crews are happy and a few of them are sick and willing to go home," said Thai police Lt. Gen. Saritchai Anekwiang, who was leading the delegation. "Generally, the boat conditions are good."

http://news.yahoo.com/fishermen-rush-rescued-amid-indonesian-slavery-probe-053153555.html

Apparently Indonesian officials and the international press didnt get this report.

Happy to be held in detention when not on the trawler?

Dear general please take a look at Lt. Gen. Saritchai Anekwiang, who was leading the delegation.

Thai fishing vessels run by Thai captains owned by Thai companies operating under Thai law and this is the report we get from the men that enforces these laws. Makes me want to vomit.

[Johpa]

The AP article was front page on my local US big city newspaper. Needless to say, the article does not put the Kingdom in a positive light. Basically the article paints a picture of modern day slavery exploited by Thai and Indonesian influential people, including high ranking Thai police.

Chaiyo!

[taony]

Has mr richard particulary addressed this yet, its been on the international news channels this morning

[FloridaExport]

Any chance Indonesia is poised to have a surge in US seafood exports if Thailand is kept at Tier 3? If so, it would be a pretty smart move on their part to free a ton of Thai slaves right before the report is due to come out. Makes them look like a great upstanding country while hurting potential competition.