Human Rights at Sea has endorsed and committed to supporting the Manila Declaration on Seafarers' Human Rights, Safety and Well-Being.

2 September 2025. On the final day of the 2025 International Conference held at The Diamond Hotel, Manila Bay, Philippines, alongside state authorities, diplomatic corps, embassy staff, commercial, legal, academic and civil society entities - consensus appeared to have been reached reflecting collective support for the intent and scope of the new Manila Declaration.

The Manila Declaration is an explicit national commitment calling for greater international solidarity for protecting seafarers’ human rights at all times.

In closing the two-day conference, the Honorable Sonia Malaluan, Administrator, Maritime Industry Authority of the Philippines focused on how the gathering reflected international co-operation, supported a just and inclusive maritime industry that went beyond existing convention and policies, and delivered a united call to action to safeguard all rights of seafarers worldwide.

As stated by the Hon. Carlos Sorreta, Ambassador and Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva "Human rights [are] at the heart of policy and action”.

Endorsements

In-country and attending by invitation, Human Rights at Sea has committed to support the Manila Declaration. 

This was achieved by a formal note to and response received from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs on behalf of Lord Teverson, Patron to Human Rights at Sea.

At the time of writing, 10 countries have formally endorsed the Declaration. They are: Bangladesh, Germany, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Background

The Declaration reflects the UN Human Rights Council General Assembly Resolution 56/18 adopted on 11 July 2024 for the
'Promoting and protecting the enjoyment of human rights by seafarers'. It was co-sponsored by over 40 states and is the first HRC Resolution specifically to address the issue of seafarer human rights' protections.

The Resolution was followed with the issuing of the REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12021, September 23, 2024 known as the Magna Carta for Filippino Seafarers.

Eight Commitments

The Declaration turns on eight commitments that are stated as being actionable, and mutually interdependent. They are:

  1. Uphold human rights at all times.
  2. Fully enforce the Maritime Labour Convention.
  3. Improve crisis preparedness.
  4. Respect seafarer's rights to refuse to sail in high-risk areas without reprisal.
  5. Promote corporate human rights due diligence.
  6. Foster inclusion and women empowerment.
  7. Ensure a just transition amid digitalization
  8. Harness international cooperation for maritime education and training.

Closing the conference, the Honorable Teodoro Locsin Jr. Ambassador and Philippine Permanent Representative to the IMO, Philippine Embassy in London summarised the need to go beyond what are minimum standards, to focus on equality, equity and the strength of women in the industry, and to ensure that a human rights' centred approach becomes the norm. 

Human Rights at Sea Comment

The Manila International Conference was a well-attended event that, on the dedicated human rights' panels, avoided the trap of becoming a mutually supporting echo chamber of mirrored calls to action without substance. 

Instead, balanced and honest discussion enabled an environment of essential free speech around the issues being raised by delegates. The state organisers must be fairly congratulated on this aspect reflecting an open and democratic approach to discussing necessary human rights' safeguards for key workers.

Panelists represented most sections of the maritime supply chain, with the critical involvement of active and next generation seafarers including captains, crew and cadets. 

Worker voice was front-and-centre. This was complimented by balanced advocacy with front-line context provided through welfare, union, International Organisation and civil society participation.

Notably, was the prominent and active engagement of women seafarers and advocates signposting the clear point that women in maritime should not be the exception, but the norm as enabled through equitable employment and career opportunities. 

We now look closely to the settlement, state use of, and engagement with the final text of the Manila Declaration. This includes the necessary next-step plans by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to further normalize the human rights at sea narrative in both law and policy as international precedent.

ENDS.

Source: Human Rights at Sea 2025

Certified Original. AI was not used in the drafting of this article.

Photo: David Hammond.

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