International efforts to tackle piracy given a boost
Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt has set out how the FCO바카라 사이트檚 maritime security programme funds will be spent this financial year.
The 바카라 사이트 is committed to continuing the fight against piracy and maritime insecurity wherever it occurs. Last year saw a dramatic decline in the number of pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia, a fragile success that the UK was instrumental in achieving. Today바카라 사이트檚 announcement of funding will help us build on that success.
The new package of support for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, with whom we are working in close partnership to deliver capacity building assistance, is worth 拢2.25m and includes:
- $1.135m of additional funding to the UNODC바카라 사이트檚 Post Trial Transfer Programme, to complete the construction of a new prison in Garowe, Puntland, to hold convicted pirates in facilities that meet international standards. Prison capacity remains one of the biggest challenges we face in bringing pirates to justice and it is essential that we provide a targeted, long term solution.
- A $100,000 project to tackle corruption in the Somali penal system. As UNODC continue the process of transferring pirates back to Somalia, we face the risk that convicted pirates may seek to secure early release by the paying bribes to prison staff. The project will extend existing anti-corruption awareness training from Garowe prison to all the prisons in Somalia holding piracy prisoners.
- A $240,000 project to develop the Somali coast guard. Supporting UNODC work with the maritime authorities in Mogadishu, Puntland and Somaliland to begin the process of securing Somalia바카라 사이트檚 coastline.
Speaking at the UK Chamber of Shipping Foreign Office Minister Mr Burt said:
바카라 사이트淟ast year saw a dramatic decline in pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia 바카라 사이트� to just 35, with the number of ships seized falling by over 80 percent compared to the previous year. This has not occurred by chance. It is the culmination of years of hard work from governments, international organisations and industry.
바카라 사이트淣evertheless, it is by no means 바카라 사이트榤ission accomplished바카라 사이트�.
바카라 사이트淧rogress is fragile and reversible. 108 hostages remain in pirate hands, often subjected to terrible conditions with no knowledge of when, or even if, they will be released. So we must stay the course; take the opportunity to press home our advantage and make the waters off the coast of Somalia safe once again.바카라 사이트�
Mr Burt went onto to comment on Somalia:
바카라 사이트淪o the 바카라 사이트 is determined to stay the course. We will continue to support our partners in the UN to deliver on the ground바카라 사이트�. And we must continue to work with our partners in industry and internationally to continue driving down piracy.
바카라 사이트淎s you will be aware, the challenges facing Somalia remain a key priority for the 바카라 사이트. Somalia is currently experiencing a level of political stability not seen for over two decades. There are many reasons for this, but I am in no doubt that last year바카라 사이트檚 London Conference on Somalia played a crucial role. It gave the international community an opportunity to look afresh 바카라 사이트� and holistically 바카라 사이트� at all of the issues facing Somalia and its people. A joint UK-Somalia conference, scheduled for 7 May, will provide an opportunity to sustain this momentum.바카라 사이트�
Mr Burt concluded:
바카라 사이트淧iracy and maritime security are global issues. In today바카라 사이트檚 networked world, instability and disruption of trade in one area is not isolated to a particular country or region, but affects us all. Similarly, the increasing incidence of piracy and maritime crime off Africa바카라 사이트檚 western seaboard illustrates that, wherever in the world pockets of insecurity exist, criminal elements will seek to exploit it for financial gain.
바카라 사이트淲e must be vigilant to such threats and act to neutralise them.
바카라 사이트淲e have demonstrated that when we work together we can thwart the intentions of those who would use threats and violence to extract financial gain. If we remain steadfast, we can eliminate the scourge of piracy from our seas.바카라 사이트�
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