Protest against "Hebei Spirit" judgment

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The Dieselduck
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Protest against "Hebei Spirit" judgment

Post by The Dieselduck »

Dear All,

Please find enclosed the notice recvd from ISF regarding Rally at Azad Maidan on 23rd Dec / 1600 hrs, to protest against the unjust detention of two Indian Officers at South Korea.

People from Mumbai must take out time, to attend the rally.

Best regards

Vinay Singh

Besides a job, we offer a career & commitment.

INDIAN SEAFARERS FEDERATION (ISF)

National Union of Seafarers of India, The Maritime Union of India
NUSI Bhavan, 4, Goa Street, Udyog Bhavan, 4th Floor,
Ballard Estate, 29 Walchand Hirachand Marg,
Mumbai- 400 001 Ballard Estate, Mumbai- 400001
Tel: 22618368 / 9, Tel. No. 22613052 / 2261507
E.mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

15th December, 2008

Dear Sir,

Sub: Protest against "Hebei Spirit" judgment

Appeal for boycott of Korean products especially Samsung gains momentum

In an historic meeting today the Unions and ship owners Associations got together in an unique display of solidarity against the judgment of the South Korean Court which found Capt. Jasprit Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan guilty. Both the seafarers were on board the ship "Hebei Spirit" which was at safe anchorage at South Korean waters, which was collided by a tug-towed crane barge owned by Samsung Heavy Industries resulting in an oil spill. Capt. Jasprit Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan were detained since December, 2007 in South Korea. Despite being proved innocent on 23rd June, 2008 by the Court. The matter went into appeal. Justice was denied when the judgment, which was delivered on December 10th 2008, found Capt.

Jasprit Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan guilty and sentenced them for 18 months and 8 months respectively.

The National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) and the Maritime Union of India (MUI), both seafarers Associations, have already approached more than
two hundred thousand seafarers and their families to boycott Korean products especially Samsung. Today they were joined by the Transport & Dock Workers
Union represented by Mr. S. R. Kulkarni, All India Railwaymen Federation represented by Mr. Umraomal Purohit, Aviation Industries Employees Guild
represented by Mr. George Abraham. Mr. Mahendra Sharma of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and Shipowners Associations i.e. FOSMA,
MASSA, INSA, CMMI, Nautical Institutes also attended the meeting. The following has been decided:

Ø Indian Shipping fraternity will fight with all its might against the unfair judgement which was delivered against Capt. Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan in South Korea.

Ø Demand for effective intervention by the Government of India through Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of External Affairs.

Ø Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International have also been approached.

Ø Call for appeal to seafarers to boycott the Korean products especially Samsung has been renewed.

Ø A massive Rally has been planned at 4.00 pm on Tuesday, 23rd December, 2008 at Azad Maidan, Opp. Mahanagar Palika, Mumbai. The seafarers and their family members and family members of Capt. Chawla and Chief Officer Chetan will also be present in the Rally.

The demonstration is for justice and release of the two seafarers of the ship "Hebei Spirit" who are victims of criminalization of seafarers.

Similar demonstrations have also been planned at Chennai and Delhi. This issue is no longer national but has become international. If the efforts do not give the required results then the agitation can further intensify which can affect transportation of Korean goods in India.

yours faithfully,

(Abdulgani Y. Serang)
(S. S. Khan)
General Secretary-cum-Treasurer
General Secretary
National Union of Seafarers of India
The Maritime Union of India
Mob. No. 9820149654
Mob. No. 9820225652
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