The family of an Indonesian fisher who died on a Taiwanese fishing boat in 2015 settled with the captain and a crew member yesterday, Taiwan International Workers Association (TIWA) said today in a news release.
The 43-year-old Indonesian fisher, Supriyanto, died aboard the Kaohsiung-registered Fu Tzu Chun deep-sea fishing vessel on Aug. 25, 2015.
The captain and two crew members were indicted on charges relating to his death in 2023.
Photo: Lin Yen-tung, Taipei Times
The family, with the support of their lawyers, reached an agreement with the boat captain and chief engineer, bringing the case to a close after ten years of investigation and legal battles, TIWA said.
Supriyanto’s death drew suspicions of physical abuse, though an investigation by the Pingtung District Prosecutors’ Office ruled that he had died of injuries and an infection after falling on the boat, closing the investigation in November 2015.
Fishers’ rights groups, however, filed a petition with the Control Yuan, resulting in Pingtung prosecutors reopening the case in December 2016.
The TIWA today said that the investigation had been long and drawn out, tormenting Supriyanto’s family, lawyers and supporting organizations.
Charges were only brought against the boat captain, chief engineer and another Indonesian fisher on August 23, 2023, the TIWA added.
Boat captain Chen Kai-chih (陳凱治) was charged with criminal negligence resulting in death under Article 276 of the Criminal Code as he failed to arrange for emergency medical services and comply with fisheries regulations, leading to Supriyanto’s death.
Meanwhile, chief engineer Chen Chin-piao (陳金錶) and Indonesian fisher Agus Setiawan were indicted on charges of injuring the body or health of another person under Article 277 of the Criminal Code, for alleged physical abuse leading to the victim’s death.
Prosecutors also filed a wanted notice for Indonesian fisher Munawir Sazali who may have been involved in the case and remains missing.
The case has caused public outrage and protest, and has been stuck in the courts for ten years, the association said.
It highlighted the lack of protection for the human rights and lives of migrant fishermen working on deep-sea vessels and drew the attention of international human rights and fisheries organizations due to concerns of forced labor and violence, it added.
The association said it hopes that the compensation would help comfort the grieving family and bring peace to the deceased.
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