The Vatican demands the release of fishermen detained in Libya
The Vatican called for the release of 18 fishermen from Sicily who have been detained in Libya since the beginning of last September, on the occasion of the International Day of Fishing, which falls on Saturday.
Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, Dean of the Vatican Department of Integrated Human Development, wrote: "I direct my thoughts to fishermen all over the world who are experiencing difficulties and difficulties."
He added, "I would like to mention, in particular, eighteen fishermen of different nationalities from Mazara del Vallo, in Sicily, who have been detained in Libya since the second of last September," adding that their families are still waiting for information about their loved ones.
"For this simple humanitarian reason, I appeal to the competent governments and national authorities to resolve this painful situation and find a positive solution through an open and honest dialogue," the Cardinal said.
It is reported that the fishermen, who are 8 Italians, 6 Tunisians, Indonesians and Senegalese, were detained in early September by a Libyan patrol on charges of fishing in Libyan territorial waters.
