UN calls for tougher prosecution of pirates

Acknowledging that international cooperation had helped bring about a sharp reduction in attacks at sea, the Security Council stressed the need for comprehensive action to eradicate piracy and condemned in the strongest terms hostage-taking and the increased violence employed in the crime, during an open meeting that heard from more than 40 speakers today.

“The Security Council welcomes the fact that effective counter-piracy measures through increased national, bilateral and multilateral initiatives as well as regional cooperative mechanisms have led to a substantial reduction in the number of successful piracy-related attacks in different regions, and recognizes the need for continuing efforts with these counter-piracy measures, as these gains are reversible,” the Council said through a statement read out by its November President, Hardeep Singh Puri of India.

In that context, the Council invited all States, along with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other relevant international organizations, to adopt or recommend measures to prevent maritime hijackings, as well as to protect seafarer victims of piracy and to assist them after their release. As part of the requisite comprehensive approach, it affirmed that coordination of regional efforts was primary, but also noted the need for international assistance for such efforts, as well as capacity-building for security and criminal justice sectors of the countries involved and stepped-up information-sharing between all partners.

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Article courtesy of Naftrade.

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