KARACHI, March 11: More than 100 civil society organizations, institutions and individuals from around the world have appealed to President Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to order immediate release of over 900 Pakistani and Indian fishermen languishing in the jails of the two countries.

A letter drafted by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum and signed by the organizations, institutions and individuals was dispatched to the two heads of government on Friday.

The letter indicated that Pakistan and India shared the waters of Arabian Sea but due to a controversy over Sir Creek area, their territorial limits in the sea could not be determined as yet. Instead, the two countries’ patrolling agencies have worked out an imaginary boundary in the region.

While thousands of Pakistani and Indian fishermen earn their livelihood through fishing in the Arabian Sea, some of them would unwillingly and unknowingly go astray. The violation by mistake appeared due to either tidal currents, wind force, cyclone, engine failure or some other reasons, but the poor fishermen are caught by the maritime agencies and subsequently jailed.

“At present, 153 Pakistani fishermen are languishing in different Indian jails, and their 25 boats have also been confiscated by the Indian government. Similarly, the number of Indian fishermen in custody of Pakistani security forces is 802 and that of the detained boats is 170.”

The letter regretted that there were a large number of fishermen who had already completed their jail terms but had not been released. “They have now been kept in police custody in appalling condition, resulting in the death of one of them. Many others are suffering from various diseases.”

The PFF letter stated that the families of detained fishermen were living in terrible conditions, facing starvation and poor health.

The arrest and continued detention of these fishermen is violation of international charter of human rights as well as UN convention on the law of seas, according to the signatories of the letter.

“We appeal to both the countries to order unconditional release of all the arrested and jailed fishermen on humanitarian grounds. We also appeal that no fishermen be arrested for mistaken violation of the territorial waters, Sir Creek issue be settled to determine a permanent border having search lights and signals, and at least 25 nautical miles on both sides of the border be declared free zone,” the letter said.

The signatories of the letter included World Forum of Fisher People, India; Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Feres Des Hommes, France; Alternatives, Canada; International South Asia Forum, USA; Blue Planet Project, Ottawa, Canada; ISTAS, Spain; SANA, USA; Actionaid, Pakistan; SDPI, Pakistan; Friends of Indus River, USA; Development Vision, Multan, Pakistan; Creed Alliance, Karachi; International Water Management Institute, Pakistan; CRS, Pakistan; Participatory Development Initiatives, Pakistan; Ansar Burney Welfare Trust International; MI Management Services, Singapore; and the PATTAN.—PPI