Tag: human rights

The first version of the inaugural 'Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea' is published by Human Rights at Sea after the initial drafting session was held in Switzerland on 20-21 March 2019 at the Graduate Instiute of International and Development Studies, Geneva.

US Coast Guard published the Seafarers’ Access to Maritime Facilities Final Rule in the Federal Register on April 1, 2019, informing owners and operators of Maritime Transportation Security Act-regulated facilities that they are required to provide seafarers, holding valid US visas and other covered individuals, with the ability to transit through the facility in a timely manner and at no cost to the individuals.

US Coast Guard launched its first large-scale study on women’s retention in 30 years. The study was published as part of its commitment to create a more mission-ready workforce. The RAND Corporation report, 'Improving Gender Diversity in the U.S. Coast Guard: Identifying Barriers to Female Retention,' examined the root causes of women’s attrition and potential barriers to retention, as well as provided recommendations.

UK Human Rights at Sea published a third Abandonment of Seafarers Case Study, on behalf of Indian seafarer AB Mayur Gawade. The publication follows the case study on behalf of Captain Ayyappan Swaminathan, Master of the MV Azraqmoiah and the case study concerning the abundance of the eight Indian seafarers in Walvis Bay.

Australian authorities detained the Liberian-registered bulk carrier 'Anna-Elisabeth' after crew onboard the vessel complained of insufficient food, bullying aboard the vessel and denial of shore leave. ITF received the complaints from onboard the ship berthed at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal on 25 March.

On Monday, March 18, Norsk Hydro announced that Hilde Merete Aasheim is the new CEO and first female CEO in the company, after Svein Richard Brandtzæg has chosen to release the baton after ten years in the role.The company stated that it looks forward to working with Mrs Hilde Merete Aasheim, a person whom they had known for a long time.

Nautilus International, the union for maritime professionals at sea and ashore, announced that it is joining the European Transport Workers affiliates from across Europe to highlight the worsening wages and conditions that more than 10 million transport workers face nowadays.

On 28 February 2019, the Forum for Integrated National Security (FINS) think-tank, with Indian Government engagement, held the inaugural national-level seminar on ‘Human Rights at Sea’ in Mumbai. This was the first time that a State has recognised and been engaged in the emerging ‘Human Rights at Sea’ concept and surrounding debate.

According to the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), women hold the 47% globally, amongst the 120 million people, who earn money directly from fishing and processing. The IMO-supported event WOMESA  highlighted the challenges that women face in the Blue Economy, as the fishing sector is thought to be predominantly male. 

Human Rights at Sea published a new briefing note on the ‘Legal and Policy Matters Arising from the Increased Criminalisation of the Civil Society Search and Rescue Activities in the Mediterranean’. This is the second publication on the issue of the increasing levels of criminalisation of civil society search and rescue (SAR) organisations.