No-violence agreement in fishing disputes
Source: Agencies |
June 17, 2013, Monday
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Print Edition
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TAIWAN and the Philippines have pledged not to use force in fishing disputes, according to officials, as they tackle a row over the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman by Filipino coast guards.
The agreement was reached during their first preparatory meeting on fishery cooperation held in Manila on Friday, Taiwan government said in a statement released over the weekend.
It said the agreement was aimed at avoiding a repeat of incidents such as the death of 65-year-old Hung Shih-cheng who died after his boat was fired upon by Filipino coast guards while operating in waters between the Philippines and Taiwan.
"Both sides have guaranteed to avoid the use of armed force or violence in the implementation of fisheries laws," it said.
The two sides agreed to share their maritime law enforcement procedures and establish means for notifying each other without delay whenever actions are taken against vessels and crews of the other party, it said.
They also agreed to develop a mechanism for the prompt release of detained fishing vessels and their crews, in line with international practice.
Further meetings would be held on fisheries cooperation including management and conservation schemes, it said.
Philippine investigators said earlier that they had recommended criminal charges be filed against coast guards involved in the fatal shooting. Coast guard chiefs in Manila initially insisted the fishing boat had tried to ram the coast guard vessel and their personnel had fired in self-defense.
The killing caused outrage in Taiwan, with its leader Ma Ying-jeou describing it as "cold-blooded murder."
The agreement was reached during their first preparatory meeting on fishery cooperation held in Manila on Friday, Taiwan government said in a statement released over the weekend.
It said the agreement was aimed at avoiding a repeat of incidents such as the death of 65-year-old Hung Shih-cheng who died after his boat was fired upon by Filipino coast guards while operating in waters between the Philippines and Taiwan.
"Both sides have guaranteed to avoid the use of armed force or violence in the implementation of fisheries laws," it said.
The two sides agreed to share their maritime law enforcement procedures and establish means for notifying each other without delay whenever actions are taken against vessels and crews of the other party, it said.
They also agreed to develop a mechanism for the prompt release of detained fishing vessels and their crews, in line with international practice.
Further meetings would be held on fisheries cooperation including management and conservation schemes, it said.
Philippine investigators said earlier that they had recommended criminal charges be filed against coast guards involved in the fatal shooting. Coast guard chiefs in Manila initially insisted the fishing boat had tried to ram the coast guard vessel and their personnel had fired in self-defense.
The killing caused outrage in Taiwan, with its leader Ma Ying-jeou describing it as "cold-blooded murder."
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