Piracy petition presented to International Maritime Organization
23/09/2010 http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/5136
A coalition of key stakeholders in the shipping industry today handed over a 920,000-strong vote for action to end piracy off the coast of Somalia.
Representatives from seafarers’ unions, ship operators, welfare organisations and others presented the “End Piracy Now” petition to secretary general of the International Maritime Organization Efthimios Mitropoulos in London, UK. The event, which took place on the UN-designated World Maritime Day, coincided with the presentation of the petition to governments worldwide.
The petition (www.endpiracypetition.org) was launched just four months ago as the centre piece of a campaign to persuade all governments to commit the resources needed to end the increasing problem of Somalia-based piracy. Originally intended to achieve half a million signatures, it has far exceeded that figure.
The campaign calls on governments to: dedicate significant resources and work to find real solutions to the growing piracy problem; take immediate steps to secure the release and safe return of kidnapped seafarers to their families; work within the international community to secure a stable and peaceful future for Somalia and its people.
Some 354 seafarers and 16 ships are currently being held hostage in Somalia; meanwhile, pirates are being released unprosecuted, free to re-offend.
David Cockroft, ITF general secretary, commented: “At a time when some countries are actively escorting merchant ships and pursuing pirates and a few – too few – are prosecuting them when caught, the majority, including many of those who make the most from shipping, are doing little or nothing. For us, this campaign is about making everyone step up and shoulder their responsibilities.”
To view the ITF's video on the piracy petition go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJHSLFNt_HM
World vote to end piracy will be presented tomorrow
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