Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) has relaunched as a global non-profit civil society catalyst following the closure of the charitable business model earlier this year. 

With a renewed structure and mission, Human Rights at Sea continues to advocate for human rights protections at sea through policy development, field research, and international collaboration.

Background

Earlier this year, Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) announced its closure as a UK charity due to a lack of sustainable funding, a challenge faced by many charities in the third sector particularly in the UK.

Today, we are pleased to announce that HRAS has returned, restructured as a Community Interest Company, and evolved into a global non-profit civil society catalyst. The organisation remains committed to its founding principle: “Human rights apply at sea, as they do on land.”

Strategic Focus

HRAS will continue to provide an independent platform to combat misinformation, advance facts and challenge impunity; and drive systemic, institutional, and generational change.

Key Achievements

Since January 2024 we have:

• Advanced the Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea at state level.

• Supported the Manila Declaration on Seafarers’ Rights, Safety, and Wellbeing.

• Conducted field research in Southeast Asia on fishers’ wellbeing.

• Investigated allegations of labour and human rights abuse in UK fishing fleets.

• Supported the advocacy effort to free Chief Mate Ali Albokhari from a 30-year sentence in Turkey, led by his wife, Elena Albokhari.

Further, we have built out a new team of Ambassadors, non-executive Directors, volunteers and pro bono support.

Future Direction

HRAS has rebuilt a sustainable social impact business structure with support from friends, colleagues, and volunteers. This includes its non-profit consultancy arm, Human Rights at Sea International Ltd, which underpins core funding and retains our independence.

We remain thankful and indebted to all who have contributed their time, expertise, and resources to our cause. We are delighted that Lord Teverson remains as our Patron.

Call to Action

Together, we can ensure that the sea is no longer a place where human rights are forgotten.

As we embark on this renewed journey, we invite governments, civil society, industry leaders, and individuals to stand with us. Let us build a future where dignity, safety, and justice are upheld for all who live, work, and travel at sea.

Human Rights at Sea is back stronger, bolder, and more determined than ever.

“This is more than a relaunch; it is a renewed commitment to drive change so that no one at sea is left without protection,” David Hammond, Founder, Human Rights at Sea.

🎥 Watch Our Explainer Video

One-minute explainer film: 

ENDS.

Source: Human Rights at Sea 2025.

AI. AI was not used in the research of this article.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock. 

Contact: If you have any questions, please write to us at enquiries@hrasi.org.

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