Ukrainian initiative in action: Guidelines for the treatment of detained seafarers approved
3.12.2024 - 14:43
Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers Detained on Suspicion of Crimes were approved in Geneva.
From 26 to 28 November, a meeting of the Joint Tripartite Working Group of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was held in Geneva, the MTWTU reported.
During the meeting, the Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers Detained on Suspicion of Crimes were approved.
The aim of the Guidelines is to ensure that seafarers detained on suspicion of committing a crime receive fair treatment during any investigation or detention by law enforcement agencies.
The Guidelines emphasize that seafarers are key workers and require special protection, given the global nature of the shipping industry and the different jurisdictions with which seafarers may come into contact.
Every seafarer must be guaranteed respect for their human rights, including the principle of the presumption of innocence. No seafarer, including a master, shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention, nor shall he be deprived of his liberty, except in cases established by law and on such grounds.
Also, no seafarer, including a master, shall be detained on suspicion of having committed an alleged crime solely because of his status on board a ship.
In 2018, the USMTU submitted for consideration by the IMO Legal Committee the first document, which emphasized that the problem of groundless detention of seafarers and on suspicion of committing crimes against seafarers, violations of seafarers’ rights during such detentions require an urgent solution.
Over the past six years, the MTWTU, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the ITF, has been ensuring the preparation of all necessary documents for the adoption of the Guidelines. The Embassy of Ukraine in the United Kingdom also assisted in representing the interests of Ukrainian seafarers at the IMO.
Earlier, the USM reported that Ukrainian seafarers will be able to prepare for the qualification exam free of charge.
