Addressing risks in a challenging threat environment
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) with the support of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Interpol and the Royal Malaysian Police, organised a two day conference in Kuala Lumpur on International Piracy, Armed Robbery and Maritime Security – addressing risks in a challenging threat environment. The Meeting took place on 14 and 15 September and was attended by 216 delegates from 30 countries, as well as representatives of 10 International Organisations. The delegates represented government, law enforcement, navy, coast guard and industry, including shipowners, underwriters, lawyers and unions.
MPHRP Regional Director South Asia – Chirag Bahri – was invited to speak on the topic of assisting the lost voices’. Chirag expressed his gratitude to be part of the event and narrated the trauma and sufferings of seafarers and families who are affected by maritime piracy incidents. He informed the audience that MPHRP is in touch with hundreds of seafarers affected by piracy and have been assisting them with humanitarian support provided by the partners and funders of the programme. The great work of the IMB in the fight against piracy, and in the efforts to record attacks, was emphasised by Chirag.
Chirag also informed the audience about his own work in South Asia to support seafarers with jobs, medical and psychological support as part of a rehabilitation programme, and noted the support of the Indian Directorate General of Shipping and partners in the region. He informed delegates that four Sri Lankan families are still awaiting further news on their missing husbands, one Indian family awaits the return of their missing son and that one Indian family still hopes for justice as their son was shot dead by Somali pirates during captivity. He mentioned the seafarers of the Malaysian flag Albedo, who are still waiting for payment of wages and other dues by the owner of the ship.
In the photograph Chirag (second from left) is shown with other speakers: from left to right: Jon Whitlow, Seafarers’ Section Secretary of the ITF; Roger Harris, Executive Director, ISWAN, and Kimberly Karlshoej, Head of the ITF Seafarers; Trust. Presentations emphasised the welfare needs of seafarers.
Source and Image Credit: MPHRP
