On the occasion of the World Fisheries Day, the Vatican called for the release of 18 fishermen from Sicily who have been detained in Libya since the beginning of September.
The Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, Dean of the Vatican Department of Integrated Human Development, wrote in his Friday message: “I address my thoughts to fishermen around the world who are experiencing hardships and difficulties.”
He added, “I would especially like to remember the eighteen fishermen of different nationalities from Mazara del Vallo, in Sicily, who have been detained in Libya since September 1.”
He noted that, “Their families continue to wait anxiously for information about their whereabouts and the opportunity to talk with their loved ones. Most of all, they long to be reunited with them.”
“For this simple humanitarian reason, I appeal to the appropriate national governments and authorities to resolve this acute situation, and find a positive solution through open and sincere dialogue,” the cardinal said.
On 1 September, the Libyan Navy arrested 18 Italian fishermen for illegally entering Libyan waters. In 2015, four young Libyans in Sicily were sentenced by the magistrates of Catania to 30 years in prison. They were accused of organising a crossing from Libya, in which 49 migrants died. Libya is seeking a prisoner swap with the Italian government. Rome has claimed it refused to be “blackmailed”.