The UN Security Council has decided to urgently consider the establishment of specialised Somali courts to try suspected pirates both in Somalia and in the region.
The Council also urged both State and non-State actors affected by piracy, most notably the international shipping community, to provide support for a host of judicial- and detention-related projects through the trust fund set up for that purpose.
In its unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member Council stressed the need for “a comprehensive response to tackle piracy and its underlying causes by the international community,” as it outlined a wide array of measures to more effectively counter the scourge of piracy.
These include calling on States to cooperate on the issue of hostage-taking; encouraging States and regional organisations to assist Somalia in strengthening its coastguard capacity; urging all States, including those in the region, to criminalise piracy under their domestic laws; and underlining the need to investigate and prosecute those who illicitly finance, plan, organise, or unlawfully profit from pirate attacks off the Somali coast.
In taking this action, the Council was acting on the recommendations contained in a report by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Adviser on Legal Issues Related to Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, Jack Lang.
In its previous resolutions, the Council has authorised States and regional organisations to enter Somalia’s territorial waters and use “all necessary means” to fight piracy such as deploying naval vessels and military aircraft, as well as seizing and disposing of boats, vessels, arms and related equipment used for piracy.
