Islamabad46 minutes ago
- Copy link
Indian fisherman Babu, who was in jail in Pakistan, died on Thursday. According to news agency ANI, Babu was arrested by Pakistani officials in 2022. The Pakistani officials did not release him despite Babu’s sentence.
In the last 2 years, 8 Indian fishermen have died in Pakistan. 180 Indian fishermen, who have completed their sentence, are waiting for the release from Pakistani jail. India has been continuously raising the issue of early release of prisoners with Pakistan.
According to Section 5 of the agreement on Consular Access 2008, the governments of the two countries have to release prisoners within a month of confirmation of the national status and the prisoners and send them back to their country. But Pakistan has broken this agreement several times.
Indian fisherman died in Pakistan’s jail in October too Earlier on 25 October 2024, Indian fisherman Haribhai Sosa (31 years) died in Pakistan jail. The cause of death was stated to be heart attack. He was a resident of Porbandar in Gujarat. Pakistan handed over Haribhai’s body to India in November a month later.
Haribhai Sosa was caught by Pakistani security forces near the international maritime border in the Arabian Sea in early 2021. He was then imprisoned in Karachi for more than three years. Even after the completion of Haribhai’s sentence, Pak officials did not hand over him to India.
In May 2023, 198 Indian fishermen were released from Pakistan jail. He was welcomed in Ahmedabad.
What is Consular Access 2008
- This agreement was signed on 21 May 2008. According to Article 36 of the Vienna Treaty, when a foreign citizen is arrested, it is necessary to give a consular access to the prisoner while being investigated and detained.
- Under this, the diplomat or officer of the country where the prisoner belongs to the prisoner is allowed to meet the prisoner in jail. During this time they also have the right to inquire.
- The prisoner in jail can ask the diplomat or officer of that country why he is arrested or how he is being treated. Based on the prisoner’s reply, the government of his country takes further action.
- The principle of consular access was formed in the 1950–60s. In 1963, Vienna Convention (VCCR) was done on Consular Access.