ILO, IMO, WHO, UNCTAD Declare Maximum Protection For Seafarers’ Under Detention

International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Health Organization (WHO), has issues fresh guidelines for member nations to ensure fair treatment of seafarers’ detained in connection with alleged crimes.

This adoption was reached at the 3rd meeting of the Joint ILO–IMO Tripartite Working Group to identify and address seafarers’ issues and the human element in Geneva, Switzerland recently.

The United Nations affiliate institutions in a joint statement said that the objective of these Guidelines is to ensure that seafarers detained on suspicion of committing a crime are treated fairly during any investigation and detention by public authorities, and that detention is for no longer than necessary.

The international bodies pointed out that seafarers are recognized as a special category of worker and many countries have designated them as key workers in accordance with the adoption of the joint statement .

“Given the global nature of the shipping industry and the different jurisdictions with which seafarers may be brought into contact, they need special protection, especially in relation to contacts with public authorities. ”

“New guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers detained in connection with alleged crimes have been released by International Labour Organization and International Maritime Organization – IMO.

“This will help ensure seafarers are treated fairly and not subjected to unjust criminalisation. ”

“We will continue to fight for stronger frameworks that protect seafarers all around the world. ”