The footage from a S. Korean news station showed the disposal of the bodies of Indonesian ship crews. (Image via Tempo.co)

Indonesia's DPR wants to hold China responsible for throwing ship crews to the sea

Member of Commission I of Indonesia’s People’s Representative Assembly (DPR) from PKS fraction, Sukamta, asked the Indonesian government to take stern and thorough action by investigating what was likely to be a violation of human right done by the Chinese.

Previously, an S. Korean TV station, MBC, covered an exclusive report on the allegation of slavery and violation of human rights suffered by the Indonesian ship crews aboard a Chinese-flagged ship. It was reported that the body of a dead ship crew from Indonesia was thrown away into the sea. The initial agreement was if the ship crew passes away aboard, the company will cremate the body and send the ashes to their respective family.

According to the MBC, these Indonesian ship crews were required to work 18 – 30 hours. At last, they got sick and passed away. Without proper funeral ceremonies, their bodies were then thrown away into the sea. The company said that the procession was done according to the maritime standards to maintain the health of other ship crews.

Speaking on Thursday, Sukamta said that even though the company said that it followed the international maritime standards, there were three dead Indonesian ship crews on the Chinese ship. Therefore, the government needs to intervene to protect its citizens. Even, the MBC presented the video where the three dead Indonesian ship crews’ bodies were thrown into the sea.

Should a violation of human rights is found, the Indonesian government needs to submit a letter of protest to the Chinese government. If necessary, a legal lawsuit. Sukamta was concerned that it was not the first time for the Chinese company to do such a thing.

He also said that the exploitation of Indonesian ship crews is an old problem. Starting from the shady recruitment process to the work agreement. More often than not, the Indonesian ship crews are required to pay, instead of getting paid. Therefore, Sukamta hoped that the Indonesian government will enforce the law to ensure the fate of the Indonesian ship crews.

Source: https://bit.ly/2WCk6DE