CBCI appeals for fishermen’s release from Qatar jail

(November 1, 2010) The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and Caritas India have sought the union government’s help to repatriate some Indian fishermen languishing in a Qatar jail for the past three months. Bishop Peter Remigius of Kottar, chairperson of Caritas India, and Father Jose Vattakuzhy, secretary of the CBCI Labour Commission, met Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi on Wednesday to submit a memorandum seeking safe return of the 42 fishermen who had strayed into the Qatar waters. They were arrested by a coast guard on July 10 and convicted to two years imprisonment on Oct. 25. The minister assured the delegation that the Indian government would try to repatriate the fishermen. He also said the government would appoint a councillor to deal with the issue. The CBCI Labour Commission has also started a signature campaign with its affiliated networks and labour movements and unions to mobilize support for the release of the fishermen.