Seafarers’ plight highlighted at counter-piracy conferences

Humanitarian situation of seafarers in captivity highlighted

At the recent 3rd UAE Counter Piracy Conference held in Dubai on September 11-12what was strongly evident was that the delegates took seriously the humanitarian crisis left in the wake of piracy.

The conference attended by500 conference delegates including about 50 Foreign Ministers and Ambassadors and numerous UN agencies, IGOs, etc. The Chair of the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) Steering Committee, Peter Swift, also attended the conference during which the work among seafarers and families affected by piracy was praised.

Part of the Final Communiqué reads: “Both the public and private sector participants draw the international community’s attention to the on-going grave humanitarian situation of seafarers still held in captivity in Somalia and the plight of their families and call on the international community, with the help of the Federal Government of Somalia and regional authorities, to do everything in their power to release these captives and return them to their families.”

Chirag Bahri speaking at the WISTA conference, London

(Image Source: Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme)

Programme Director, Roy Paul, and Regional Director for India, Chirag Bahri, made presentations at the UK Conference of the Women in International Shipping and Trade Associations (WISTA) Conference in London. A lively discussion ensued. Deep concern was noted for affected seafarers and their families. The conference noted the unique situation of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. There was warm appreciation for Chirag Bahris commitment to positively support seafarers after his own ordeal, having been held captive by pirates off the Somali coast.

Find more information about the conferences in the articles

Mr Chirag Bahri has also given a presentation on how piracy affects seafarers and their families, during 2012 SAFETY4SEA Athens Forum . You may view his presentation here