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Security Council calls for comprehensive response to fight piracy off Somalia

22 November 2011 20:27 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The UN Security Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution, condemning "all acts of piracy and armed robbery against vessels in the waters off the coast of Somalia" and underlining "the need for a comprehensive response to repress piracy and tackle its underlying causes by the international community."

The resolution, drafted by the United States, voiced concern about "the reported involvement of children in piracy off the coast of Somalia."

The Security Council recognizes that "the ongoing instability in Somalia contributes to the problem of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia," and also "the need to investigate and prosecute not only suspects captured at sea, but also anyone who incites or intentionally facilitates piracy operations, including key figures of criminal networks involved in piracy who illicitly plan, organize, facilitate, or finance and profit from such attacks," said the resolution.

The Security Council also reiterates its concern over a large number of people suspected of piracy having to be released without facing justice.

The Council reaffirms that "the failure of prosecuting persons responsible for acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia undermines anti-piracy efforts of the international community" and is determined to "create conditions to ensure that pirates are held accountable."

"Pirates are turning increasingly to kidnapping and hostage- taking, and that these activities help generate funding to purchase weapons, gain recruits, and continue their operational activities, thereby jeopardizing the safety and security of innocent civilians and restricting the flow of free commerce," the resolution said.

The resolution believes that instability in Somalia is one of the underlying causes of the problem of piracy.

In February, Efthimios Mitropoulos, secretary-general of the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO), said that the year 2010 alone saw 286 piracy-related incidents off the coast of Somalia, resulting in 67 hijacked ships, with 1,130 seafarers on board.

A recent study estimated the cost to the world economy from disruptions to international trade at between 7 billion U.S. dollars and 12 billion dollars, he said.

Ransom payments add up to hundreds of millions of dollars, creating a "pirate economy" in areas of Somalia that make them more resistant to efforts to develop alternative livelihoods, said Mitropoulos, noting that despite the deployment of significant naval assets to the region, the number of hijackings and victims has risen significantly.

The Security Council called on countries to cooperate on the issue of hostage-taking and the prosecution of suspected pirates for taking hostages.

It also urged countries and international organizations to share evidence and information for anti-piracy law enforcement purposes with a view to ensuring effective prosecution of suspected, and imprisonment of convicted pirates.