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The UN

The Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea

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About the Project

The Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea confirms that human rights apply at sea as they do on land.

Initiated and conceived in February 2019 by Founder and CEO, David Hammond as a response to the ongoing systematic abuse of human rights at sea globally, the Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea brings together existing international law into one document. 

The Geneva Declaration gives practical guidance to states on how to ensure that human rights abuses at sea are detected, remedied, and ultimately ended. We are now working with individual states and the UN to promote the adoption of the Declaration.  

UN USA

 

 

Four fundamental principles  

  1. Human rights are universal; they apply at sea, as they do on land.

  2. All persons at sea, without any distinction, are entitled to their human rights.

  3. There are no maritime specific reasons for denying human rights at sea.

  4. All human rights established under both treaty and customary international law must be respected at sea.

HRC

 

 

"As a city very connected to human rights, Geneva is proud to support the Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea. This international declaration is important for the protection of people in international waters. I am happy to witness the realisation of a concept born in Geneva three years ago and to have been the first to receive this document"
Mayor of Geneva Frédérique Perler, 1 March 2022
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Geneva Declaration: English Version
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Geneva Declaration: French Version
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Geneva Declaration: Arabic Version
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Geneva Declaration: Mandarin Version
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Geneva Declaration: Russian Version
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Geneva Declaration: Ukrainian Version
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Geneva Declaration: Spanish Version

The Drafting Team

Prof. Steven Haines
Prof. Steven Haines
Professor of Public International Law, University of Greenwich
Irini
Prof. Irini Papanicolopulu
Associate Professor of International Law at the University of Milano-Bicocca
Dr. Sofia Galani
Dr, Sofia Galani
Assistant Professor Public International Law, Panteion University
Prof. Dr. iur. Anna Petrig
Prof. Dr. iur. Anna Petrig
Chair of International and Public Law, University of Basel
David Hammond CEO
David Hammond
Chief Executive Officer
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Human Rights at Sea is a Registered Charity in England and Wales, No. 1161673

Registered Office: Langstone Technology Park, Langstone Road, Havant PO9 1SA, United Kingdom

© 2022 | Human Rights at Sea

  • Who we are
    • Our Mission
    • Our Strategy
    • Our People
      • Our Team
      • Board of Trustees
      • Advisory Board
      • Our Patron
    • Donors
    • Finances and Annual Reports
    • Consultancy Services
  • What we do
    • Access to Justice
      • Human Rights at Sea Arbitration
      • Fisheries Observer Project
      • Ukraine: Seafarers Caught in Conflict
    • Law Reform and Policy
      • The Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea
      • Maritime Levy Campaign
    • Slavery at Sea
    • Children at Sea
    • Equality at Sea
  • Impact
  • News
  • Resources
    • Resources Listing
  • Contact us
  • Need help?
    • eyeWitness at Sea