Fifty-fifth session Agenda, 2000: Oceans and the law of the sea - Report of the Secretary-General
VI. Crimes at sea
Section A. Piracy and armed robbery
96.
IMO provided information on main trends within its area of competence and reported that during recent years it has intensified its activities to assist States in the suppression of illicit acts committed at sea. IMO Assembly resolution A.738(18) on measures to prevent and suppress piracy and armed robbery against ships empowers MSC to keep the issue under continuous review; the Committee has included it in the long term work plan. As a result, the IMO secretariat circulates monthly reports on piracy and robbery against ships and has explored ways to maintain pressure against all forms of unlawful acts at sea.
97.
Since the issuance of the Secretary-General's 1999 annual report (see A/54/429, paras. 231-233), another 166 incidents of piracy and armed robbery were reported to IMO between 1 May and 30 November 1999. [23] According to the annual report on piracy and armed robbery of the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) for 1999, the Piracy Reporting Centre of IMB had received reports of 285 incidents of acts of piracy [24] and armed robbery as of 31 December 1999, but expected to receive details of additional such incidents for that year in the coming months. Two thirds of the total number of reported incidents have taken place in seven areas: Indonesia, 113 incidents; Bangladesh, 23; Malaysia, 18; India, 14; Singapore Straits, 13; and Somalia/Djibouti and Nigeria, 11 incidents. The attacks in and around Indonesia nearly doubled as compared to 1998. In Somalia
pirates were reported to have hijacked ships and demanded ransom and IMB has warned ships to remain at least 50 miles off the coast of that country. The IMB report also provides information about recent anti-piracy measures such as the development of an on-board satellite tracking system specially designed to locate ships at sea or in port as well as measures taken by States.
98.
In October 1999, IMO organized a mission of experts to Nigeria and a regional seminar and workshop for West and Central African countries. The last of the current series of regional seminars and workshops within the context of the IMO anti-piracy project is scheduled to take place in India in March 2000 for countries of the Indian Ocean region (IMO document MSC 72/17/1). The outcome of those seminars and workshops will be reported to the 72nd session of MSC, to be held in May 2000.
99.
The Correspondence Group, which was established at the 71st session of MSC to prepare a preliminary draft text for the investigation and prosecution of the crime of piracy and armed robbery, will present its report to the 72nd session of MSC together with a preliminary draft text of an instrument (MSA 72/17/4).
100.
The 72nd session of MSC will also be requested to consider a proposal by the United Kingdom (see para. 90 above) and a proposal by France for the adoption of a circular which would provide maritime rescue coordination centres (MRCC) with more detailed directives than currently contained in MSC circulars on the subject on their role in dealing with incidents of piracy and armed robbery, as well as preparatory and operational measures they can take. [25] The sphere of activity of the MRCCs is normally confined to search and rescue.
101.
The General Assembly of the United Nations in its most recent resolution on oceans and the law of the sea (resolution 54/31) again expressed its concern at the increasing threat to shipping from piracy and armed robbery at sea and expressed its appreciation and support for the ongoing work of IMO in this area (see also Assembly resolution 53/32). The General robbery against ships, including by submitting reports on incidents to IMO, and also to implement the IMO guidelines on preventing attacks of piracy and armed robbery and to cooperate with the IMO Correspondence Group, established to draw up standard guidelines for Governments in investigating attacks against ships and prosecuting offenders, and with other initiatives of IMO in this area.
102.
The General Assembly furthermore urged States, in particular coastal States in affected regions, are urged by the General Assembly to take all necessary and appropriate measures to prevent and combat incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea, including through regional cooperation, and to investigate or cooperate in the investigation of such incidents wherever they occur and bring the alleged perpetrators to justice, in accordance with international law. The Assembly urged States to become parties to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation and its Protocol, and to ensure its effective implementation.
