Tag: UN Security Council

Although the threat from Somali pirates has declined, it still remains a matter of 'grave concern' The United Nations Security Council has renewed for another year its authorization for international naval forces to join in fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia, stressing that while the threat from Somali pirates has declined, it still remains a matter of grave concern.By adoptinga unanimous resolution, the 15-member body highlighted the important role played by ships from regional organizations such as the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Operation (NATO) Ocean Shield, but noted that the primary responsibility lies with the Somalia, a country torn apart by 25 years of strife.While noting improvements in Somalia, recognizes that piracy exacerbates instability in Somalia by introducing large amounts of illicit cash that fuels additional crime and corruption, the resolution declared, stressing "the need for a comprehensive response to prevent and suppress piracy and tackle its underlying causes by the international community.It called on States and regional organizations to deploy naval vessels, arms, and military aircraft, and provide logistical support for counter-piracy forces.At its height piracy off Somalias coasts netted scores of vessels, from large container ships to small leisure yachts, ...

According to UN Security Council report the main developments and trends regarding piracy off the coast of Somalia (period October 2014- October 2015) are as follows:

UN Security Council Resolution 2240 (2015) adopted on October 9 IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu has welcomed the adoption by the United Nations Security Council of a UN Security Council resolution which authorizes Member States to intercept vessels suspected of migrant smuggling off the Libyan coast.I welcome the United Nations Security Councils clear affirmation of the necessity to put an end to the recent proliferation of, and endangerment of lives by, the smuggling of migrants and trafficking of persons in the Mediterranean Sea and the strong measures advocated to address these criminal activities, Mr. Sekimizu said.UN Security Council Resolution 2240 (2015), adopted on 9 October, authorizes Member States, for a period of one year, and in accordance with international law, to inspect on the high seas off the coast of Libya any vessels that they have reasonable grounds to believe had been, were being, or imminently would be used by organized criminal enterprises for migrant smuggling or human trafficking from Libya, including inflatable boats, rafts and dinghies.Since the current migrant crisis in the Mediterranean started in early 2014, Mr. Sekimizu has consistently called for concerted action to be taken to tackle people smugglers.Echoing his recent statement to the side event on ...

Update on the Iran Sanctions - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action The UK P&I Club informs about the latest updates on Iran Sanctions and advises operators with an interest in trading to Iran to proceed with extreme caution and continue to seek independent advice before commiting to trade contracts.The diplomatic agreement of 14 July 2015 between the E3/EU+3 and the Islamic Republic of Iran opens the way for the restoration of trade activates with Iran by lifting the trade, energy, insurance and banking embargoes that have been incrementally imposed by the European Union and U.S since 2009.Full details of the way in which implementation of the agreement will be managed in the EU and U.S. is yet to emerge and is unlikely to do so in the immediate future, but it is clearly intended that all UN Security Council sanctions as well as multilateral and national sanctions related to Iran's nuclear programme will be lifted, subject to the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).At this early stage in the process it is difficult for the Club to anticipate the timescale by which the current legislation in the EU and U.S. will be repealed or rolled back.It is, ...

The Security Council banned illicit crude oil exports from Libyaon March 19th 2014, authorizing States to inspect vessels on the high seas, using all measures commensurate to the specific circumstances.

UN Security Council concern over the security situation in South Somalia

Security Council stressed the need for comprehensive action to eradicate piracy 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 ...

Human Cost of Piracy off Somalia Coast Incalculable Fuelled by more than $150 million in ransom payments last year, Somali-based pirates were extending their deadly reach farther out into the Indian Ocean, senior United Nations officials said today, as they urged the Security Council to consider a full range of legal, judicial and preventive measures to thwart their brazen attacks.Presenting the Secretary-General's report on specialized anti-piracy courts in Somalia and other States in the region, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel Patrician O'Brien said the human cost of piracy off the Somali coast was "incalculable", with killings and widespread hostage-taking. Although the numbers of incidents had declined in 2011, there were nevertheless 265hostages being held at the end of the year. Increasing levels of violence and the expanding geographical scope of the attacks were all extremely worrying.She said that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had conducted detailed consultations with the relevant police, prosecution, judicial and prison authorities in the concerned regional States. Indeed, a great deal was already being done to ensure the prosecution of piracy suspects. A total of 20States worldwide were prosecuting, or had prosecuted, a ...

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their full support for the Djibouti Agreement On Wednesday, 11 January, the Security Council received a briefing from Lynn Pascoe, Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union, on the situation in Somalia, including a briefing on the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to AMISOM and expressed their continued appreciation for the commitment of troops by the troop contributing countries. They commended the efforts of AMISOM and the Somali security forces and recognized the significant sacrifices these forces have made.The members of the Security Council stressed the importance of predictable, reliable and timely resources to AMISOM and called on the international community to provide uncaveated support to AMISOM in order for it to strengthen its capability and to better fulfil its mandate. They noted the recommendations on Somalia of the African Union Peace and Security Council of 5 January 2012 and the intention of the Secretary-General to submit a report. They underlined their intention to keep the situation under review. The members of the Security Council also stressed the importance of international assistance ...

Stressing the need for a comprehensive strategy in Somalia to curb piracy On Wednesday, 11 January, the Security Council received a briefing from Lynn Pascoe, Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union, on the situation in Somalia, including a briefing on the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to AMISOM and expressed their continued appreciation for the commitment of troops by the troop contributing countries. They commended the efforts of AMISOM and the Somali security forces and recognized the significant sacrifices these forces have made.The members of the Security Council stressed the importance of predictable, reliable and timely resources to AMISOM and called on the international community to provide uncaveated support to AMISOM in order for it to strengthen its capability and to better fulfil its mandate. They noted the recommendations on Somalia of the African Union Peace and Security Council of 5 January 2012 and the intention of the Secretary-General to submit a report. They underlined their intention to keep the situation under review. The members of the Security Council also stressed the importance of international assistance to develop ...