The untold suffering of cross-border prisoners

On July 1, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of prisoners and fishermen of each country who are lodged in each other’s jails. This exchange of list is under the provision of ‘Agreement on Consular Access’, which was originally signed on May 21, 2008, wherein it was agreed that both countries will exchange list of prisoners and fishermen on January 1 and July 1 every year. This was an extension of the earlier agreed exchange of information on each other’s nuclear installations that was signed in 1988 and came in force in 1991. These agreements are part of a confidence-building approach taken by governments of both countries. 

As per the list exchanged on July 1 this year, there are 546 prisoners (52 civilians and 494 fishermen) who are Indian citizens and lodged in Pakistani jails. Similarly, there would be a large number of Pakistani citizens who are in Indian jails. According to the January 2017 list, 342 prisoners (55 Fishermen and 287 civilians) were lodged in Indian jails who are believed to be Pakistani citizens. On July 10, after release of 78 Indian prisoners (77 fishermen and 1 civilian) by Government of Pakistan, effective numbers of Indian prisoners in Pakistan would be 51 civilians and 417 fishermen.

Considering the plight of fisherfolks, External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj, also spoke in Parliament while answering a query that issues of fishermen involve long-standing livelihood and socio-economic practices and humanitarian concerns that need to be handled with great care and sensitivity.  

Some efforts had been made. In 2015 at Ufa, Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan agreed to release all fishermen and also on the sidelines of Heart of Asia Conference at New Delhi in 2016, it was suggested that both sides should take steps to address humanitarian matters, including scheduling of visits by the judicial committee. However, the situation remains unchanged. There is need to ameliorate the condition of these cross-border prisoners and make them realise that we care for them.

The author is founder of Aaghaz-e-Dosti, an Indo-Pak Friendship Initiative