CBCI seeks release of Indian fishermen in Qatar jail

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) has appealed for the immediate release of 42 fishermen lodged in a prison in Qatar.

A memorandum was submitted to Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi, stating the plight of the fishermen who have been sentenced to two years imprisonment.

The memorandum was submitted by Kottar Bishop and CARITAS India Chairman Peter Remigius and CBCI Labour Commission Executive Secretary Fr. Jose Vattakuzhy.

The 42 fishermen were arrested "for having inadvertently entered" the maritime border of Qatar. They worked for a Saudi Arabian employer.

Shockingly, the 42 have been sentenced to two years imprisonment by a Qatar court on Oct. 25. They hail from Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu

While receiving the memorandum last week, the Union minister gave assurance to expedite the repatriation of the poor fishermen.

CBCI Labour Commission has also started a signature campaign with its affiliated networks and labour movements and unions for the same.

In fact Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has reportedly written a letter seeking the Centre's intervention in securing the release of the fishermen.

"I shall be grateful if you provide necessary legal assistance to the imprisoned fishermen and take up the issue with the Government of Qatar for immediate release of these innocent fishermen," he wrote.