Rules for Handling Fishermen Caught Abroad Drafted

The government is currently drafting a regulation related to Handling Indonesian Fishermen Caught Abroad. Head of the Legal Bureau of the Ministry of Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (Pelindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia – “P2MI”), Wahyudi Putra explained that the drafting of this policy is in response to the many cases of arrests of traditional Indonesian fishermen who unknowingly entered the territorial waters of other countries while fishing.

“The main goal is to create a fast, coordinated, and humane handling procedure, in order to protect the rights and safety of Indonesian fishermen abroad," Wahyudi told Hukumonline.

Through this regulation, the government hopes that the handling of cases of Indonesian fishermen caught abroad can be handled more responsively and coordinated between Ministries and Institutions. Thus, both fishermen's families, ship owners and investors can find out various important information including, the location of the arrest, the agency that carried out the detention, the identity and physical and psychological condition of the fishermen, and the ongoing legal process.

“The regulation will be in the form of a Regulation of the Minister of Marine Affairs (Peraturan Menteri Kelautan/PMK),” he added.