For Christmas, let's not forget the 200 hostages in Somalia
(BRUSSELS2) The Eunavfor Atalanta mission has just sent an alert and support message for the 200 sailors and yachtsmen who remain hostages of pirates in Somalia. A message that takes on its full meaning on the eve of Christmas but which is unusual both in its form and in the issues raised, and the very political tone used. The message ends, somewhat, as a call to everyone (and in particular to political leaders) to become aware and to act in the face of the hostages, without delay.
“Apart from a few individual cases, the fate of the merchant crews, who represent the majority of these hostages, often does not receive attention and is not given sufficient consideration.. There are currently 199 men and one woman held in Somalia after their ships were hacked “And all of them are being held against their will by criminal gangs who intend to use them for ransom. " A " humanitarian tragedy "which is important to remember" especially at Christmas, a time when families normally get together “, we underline the anti-piracy HQ of Northwood.
More than 2000 sailors taken hostage in 4 years
Since the start of the European anti-piracy operation in December 2008, 2317 merchant navy sailors have been taken hostage; detention for an average of almost 5 months. The captivity length record is the lot of the 24 members of the crew of the MV Iceberg 1, who are still detained, for 19 months.
The myth of the nice pirate does not exist
EU anti-piracy specialists want to destroy a myth: that of the nice pirate. It now seems a long time ago when the hostages were relatively well treated. " At least 60 merchant seamen have died as a result of their captivity at the hands of pirates and many others have suffered from cases of torture and physical abuse. 49 hostages are currently being held without a vessel either because their ship has sunk or been abandoned. " Their future is less clear and their value is (often) considered less than that of a ship ».
New Hacker Trading Tactic
The criminal gangs have adopted a specific new tactic from Eunavfor: theyaccept the payment of a ransom for the ship and its crew but then hold part of the crew hostage whom they intend to cash in exchange for the release of the Somali pirates condemned in the country of origin of the crew members ". Currently 4 South Koreans and 7 Indians from MV Gemini and MV Asphalt Venture are thus held hostage after the release of their ships.
Another tactic. Some ships - there are currently 3 like this - are abandoned on the beach, which can create a source of potential pollution, while their crews, totaling 54 men, are still in captivity. The Shiuh Fu No.1, hacked on Christmas 2010, was thus abandoned on the beach. while the fate of the crew of 13 Chinese, 12 Vietnamese and one Taiwanese remains unknown ».
A call to settle the hostage issue
« Piracy in the Indian Ocean affects us all concludes the HQ of the operation, which thus undertakes an awareness-raising operation. " It adds a meaningful price for every barrel of oil and every container that passes through the region. (...) In the longer term, the root causes of the piracy crisis need to be resolved within Somalia. But at present, it is the situation of 200 hostages (which) remains uncertain. » A real appeal to the political authorities to resolve this situation.
(photo credit: Eunavfor Atalanta)