Foreign Ministry Continues to Pay Close Attention to Indonesian Sailors’ Deaths on Chinese Fishing Vessel

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Following the deaths of Indonesian crew members aboard Chinese-flagged fishing vessels, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released its official statements with the following points:

First, the Indonesian Government through its representatives in New Zealand, China, and South Korea and at the Central Government continues to closely pay attention to the issue faced by Indonesian crew members on Chinese-flagged Long Xin 605 and Tian Yu 8 vessels which docked a few days ago in the city of Busan in South Korea.

“The two vessels have 46 Indonesian crew members on board and 15 of them are registered to Long Xin 629,” the Ministry’s press release said, as quoted from kemlu.go.id, Thursday (7/5).

Second, the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, in coordination with local authorities, has repatriated 11 crew members since 24 April 2020.

“The other 14 crew members will be repatriated on 8 May 2020. The Indonesian Embassy in Seoul is also working on returning the body of Indonesian crew identified only as E who died at the Busan Hospital due to pneumonia. The other 20 crew members continue to work on the Long Xin 605 and Tian Yu 8 vessels,” the release said.

Third, in December 2019 and March 2020, three Indonesian crew members on the Long Xin 629 and Long Xin 604 ships died while the ships were cruising in the Pacific Ocean.

“The ship’s captain explained that the decision to throw the body of a deceased Indonesian crew due to infectious disease is based on approval of other crew members,” the release explained.

Fourth, the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing has sent a diplomatic note asking for clarification on this issue.

In the meantime, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the burial at sea for deceased Indonesian crew had followed international maritime practices to protect the health of the other crew members.

Fifth, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will summon the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia to seek for additional clarification on whether the burials followed the International Labor Organization’s standard and the treatment received by other Indonesian crew.

Sixth, the Ministry, together with relevant ministries/institutions, has also summoned the manning agency that employs the Indonesian crew to ensure the fulfillment of the rights of Indonesian crew members.

“Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also informed families of the deceased Indonesian crew regarding the progress of the case,” the release said. (MoFA/EN)

Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas