Mr. Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco (Republic of Panama) has been elected as the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), with effect from 1 January 2024, for an initial term of four years.
Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) congratulates the Secretary General Elect on a successful campaign and his forthcoming appointment.
Nonetheless, we wait to see if there will be any change to increasing human rights protections for seafarers, transparent enforcement against perpetrators of abuses and the addressing of accountability of flag States under International Maritime Law.
While a key industry focus since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic has been decarbonisation, all activities at sea must be predicated on safe, secure and fair working conditions for all maritime workers.
Undeniably, seafarers enable the global maritime industry to be productive and profitable, while the hard-won lessons learned from the pandemic must not be allowed to fade into history.
HRAS Comment
Set against the background of ongoing reporting of abandonment, sexual abuse, recruiter exploitation, bullying and harassment, suicide and poor victim-led remediation, the IMO must significantly step up to assure a safe, secure and equitable working environment.
HRAS CEO, David Hammond, said: "The leadership exhibited by the new Secretary General will be key to shifting the compass needle towards greater equity for all seafarers and supply chain workers."
Read the full IMO statement HERE
ENDS.
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