The official said that the human-rights dispute has "obscured the issue of pollution that should be the focus of discussion."
Fishing is currently prohibited in the conservation area polluted by the oil.
Both Chiu and Chiang Huang-chih (姜皇池), associate professor of international law from Central Police University (警大), said the convention was misquoted.
"It's purpose is to protect seamen from human-rights abuses rather than abuse their freedom to force compensation," Chiang said.
"There is no international law allowing seamen to be held hostage in order to ensure compensation," Chiang said, "the official should be re-educated."
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