In Memoriam
With family permission, it is with profound sadness that we report the passing of Professor Steven Haines on Wednesday 10 September 2025 at home in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.
The following is an initial collation of personal tributes from those who had the honour to work with him in the human rights at sea and Royal Navy community.
Lord Robin Teverson, Patron
“Steven was not just a great advocate of human rights at sea; he was fundamental to the real progress that has been made in recent years. Many seafarers across our seas and oceans, with little power over their own situations, have already benefited from Steven’s dedication to their human rights.”
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David Hammond, and on behalf of Anna Petrig and Irini Papanicolopulu
“Steven will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to his family, his country, his academic contributions, support and encouragement to his colleagues and his extensive library; for he loved to collect books which he voraciously consumed making him a font of knowledge with a true depth of maritime expertise that he always kindly shared.
He was much loved by all of us lucky enough to have been touched by his friendship, teaching, mentoring, humour, passion in defending civil rights and his straight-taking guidance; often accompanied by a wink and a smile.
Steven was a tour-de-force in the global maritime academic community. He served with distinction with the British Royal Navy and within civil society, where notably, he helped conceive the original text of what became the Safe Schools Declaration now formally endorsed by 121 states. Itself an incredible achievement and which today saves children’s lives in conflict zones.
Without doubt, he was also a founding father in the establishment of Human Rights at Sea being one of the original ‘gang’ who coalesced around an emerging need for advancing human rights’ protections at sea.
When developing the organisation in early 2013, we met in London at the Little Venice café in the Little Turnstile passageway between Africa House and Holborn Road for a memorable ‘full English’ breakfast. There, we discussed what we could try to do to better about addressing human rights abuses at sea and increasing protections for those people affected, including those without a voice or agency to challenge.
From that day on Steven tenaciously and loyally stood with, and by us. He was a friend, mentor and father-figure who gave so generously of his time and critically, kept us on the straight-and-narrow.
He unhesitatingly stepped up to the mark in Geneva in 2019 helping form the tight-knit drafting team for what was to become the genesis of the Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea. Our first version was conceived in the student cafeteria of the Geneva Graduate Institute; the next in a Swiss café. Little did those around us know what was happening, or what the Declaration was to become.
We will miss his six a.m. calls, his trademark timing and smartness, his bespoke tweed suits and highly polished shoes; all reflecting core discipline instilled through his very proud Service with the Royal Navy.
Now, we celebrate the man who inspired and taught so many, who gently counselled us to be better people by unselfishly serving others and their needs; and who left a legacy that few will better.
Fair winds and following seas.”
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Elizabeth Mavropoulou
“Steven had a passion for his work and a passion for life. Steven was generous with his time, always present and always supportive of younger colleagues. He carried himself with ease, demeanour and grace. He was always immaculately dressed in tweed suits. I thank him deeply for his unwavering collegiality and friendship. I know he is grinning at me from above. My heartfelt condolences to his family.”
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Fiona Laurence
“Steven was incredibly knowledgeable about international maritime law and his expertise and deep understanding of the issues in that field of law and politics were very useful to Human Rights at Sea and what it was seeking to achieve. His work in relation to the Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea was invaluable, including not only drafting, but the seeking of international political support to gain wider understanding and acceptance. His sharp intellect and unwavering support for everything HRAS stood for was unmatched and much valued by all his colleagues at HRAS. His support, loyalty and friendship will be sorely missed by all who had the good fortune to call him a friend or colleague.”
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Robert Palfrey
“I had the pleasure and benefit of knowing Steven over the space of the last 10 years. While my interactions with him were low in quantity, they were high in quality and have left a powerful memory.
I found Steven a man of impeccable bearing and manner, and yet always with a ready smile, a witty comment and an enthusiastic laugh. Steven was extremely generous in his patience to explain the key intricate details of a matter, which only his deep maritime knowledge and intellect had seen, but which he could bring to the comprehension of even this soldier.
Fiercely proud of the Royal Navy, his passion for the sea and those who live with it in their blood as he did, were always at the forefront of his concerns and energies. Steven was the epitome of integrity, principle, humanity and commitment, the fight for human rights at sea will continue without him and slowly find ways to make good the huge gap his loss leaves.”
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Anastasia Papapetrou
“Steven’s passing brings me great sadness. Throughout my journey in the human rights sector, I had the privilege of meeting passionate people with deep knowledge and expertise, who have offered me inspiration and motivation. Steven was one of them and he was also one of the kindest people I have ever met.”
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Russ Harding
"We have all lost a friend and colleague far too early and one that we were hugely privileged to have worked with over the years. He was a towering character with in every moment a drive and persistence to do his very, very best for a number of compelling causes. He was also one of the most charming of individuals always interested in another persons view which of course he loved debating.
We first met in the autumn of 1989 when, as preparation to command HMS BRERETON, I was sent on the 4 week British Sea Fisheries Officers’ course which was run by the then Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAFF). And of course Steve was one of the 2 core instructors the other being from MAFF itself. The professionalism and insight he delivered on that course and in his role as the Fishery Protection Squadron’s Instructor officer was absolutely first class. With his hand on the tiller the course was the best I ever did in the RN.
His subsequent support to the Fish Squadron’s Commanding Officers at sea was flawless as one would have expected. Steve was always on call to support.
But there’s a little known additional truth to his earlier desire to broaden his career towards studying law. Steve started out as a sea going Warfare officer and such was his progress that just as he had made the decision to leave the RN to go and study Law it became apparent that in doing do so he would forgo being selected for an appointment as a loan service officer to command a Patrol Vessel overseas. Of course the final offer was never made since he had decided to leave the Navy if it was not possible for him to be sponsored through his Law degree.
To his great credit Steve did as he had promised and, after gaining his Law degree and experience, he rejoined the Royal Navy.
On being asked to join Human Rights at Sea in 2023 I could not have more delighted to rekindle a professional relationship again with Steve. We are all the poorer for his sudden death.
“Bravo Zulu” Steve.
”Tango Alpha 88 Tack-1 Tack-2” ……………. proceed to berth assigned."
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Ian Park
"Steven was an outstanding academic and thought leader. He used his vast Naval operational experience to inform his scholarship and illuminated the world of public international law with his world-class writing on a vast array of subjects. He also gave freely of his time to advance the cause of human rights and remained committed to the Royal Navy through the First Sea Lord’s Fellowship and Naval Review. I was fortunate to have known Steven for well over a decade. I valued his counsel and friendship immensely and will miss him."
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Matthew Vickers
"Steven was always engaging, insightful and impactful. And that is because he brought a unique combination of skills and experiences to his work. Pragmatic and clear-eyed in understanding the world he was also open hearted, tenacious and energetic in wanting to change it for the better.
He was a warm and natural mentor, with a deep insight into human behaviour and frailty and immense kindness, patience and empathy in how he led and guided ambitious, agenda setting initiatives in education and human rights at sea. Always resilient and creative in building the case for change, Steven would be at the forefront of action as well as in the vanguard of thinking.
We will all miss him tremendously."
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Dr Louise Hewitt
“As my PhD supervisor, a colleague and also a friend, Steven was consistent; he was supportive, reliable, knowledgeable and kind. He was fearless in his opinions, but willing to listen to others. Steven was one of my favourite people, and to work alongside him as I did was a privilege. I will miss him dearly.”
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Mohamed Lamine Siari
"I had the privilege of working under Steven’s supervision, though in truth our relationship was far beyond the traditional boundaries of supervisor and student. He treated me not only as a researcher in training but as a colleague, eager to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and celebrate progress together.
His genuine passion for the work of the International Maritime Organization, and particularly for the vital question of human rights at sea, made every discussion with him inspiring. He believed deeply in the power of the IMO to drive real change, and his encouragement gave me confidence that our research was not only academically rigorous but also meaningful for the seafarers’ community.
What I will remember most is the spirit of equality and respect he brought into our collaboration. He listened as much as he guided, and he valued curiosity and commitment above all else. In this way, he created a space where I could truly grow, and for that I will always be grateful.
His legacy will live on not only in his own work but also in the lives and careers of those he supported and inspired. I am honoured to have been one of them."
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Dr. Victoria Mitchell
"Steven as a PhD supervisor was joyful; ceaselessly positive and pushing me to be more confident. What is most memorable is how invested he remained in the causes he supported be that human rights at sea, safe schools, his supervisees: even emailing me years after graduation to congratulate me on a webinar! I carry a lot from this time: from being on time meaning five minutes beforehand, to focusing instinctively only on how one might solve a problem. Thank you ever so much Steven."
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Fatimazahra Dehbi
"Steven was a beacon of light to all those who had the privilege and honour of knowing him. A gentleman of impeccable character, Steven was exceptionally kind and generous with his energy and time. He displayed an unwavering commitment to both his work and to his students and their development. He was also incredibly supportive of his students, seeing a potential in them that they themselves failed to, and constantly encouraging them to reach it. He was always smiling and bringing such joy and laughter to meetings, along with his extensive knowledge of international law. He will be missed by all who had the privilege and joy of knowing him, of learning from him, and of being mentored by him. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones."
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Prada Uzodima
“Steven was more than just a supervisor—he was a mentor who guided with patience, wisdom, and genuine care. His encouragement gave me confidence, and his insights always opened new perspectives in my research. His impact on my work and personal growth will remain with me, and I will always carry forward the lessons he taught.”
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Dorota Lost-Sieminska
Dear Family and Friends of Professor Haines,
I was deeply saddened to learn of Professor Steven Haines’s passing. His rare combination of intellectual rigour, practical experience and profound humanity shaped legal scholarship, maritime governance and the lives of countless students and colleagues. He gave generously his time and spirit — as a maritime specialist, an academic, a mentor and a friend. His passion and dedication to the human rights at sea set a standard many will continue to follow. I hope you take some consolation in the clear and lasting legacy he leaves across institutions, civil society and the many people whose careers and lives he influenced.
Please accept my condolences for your loss and my admiration for his enduring contributions to law, policy and education.
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BIOGRAPHY
I was appointed to my current position in Greenwich in 2012, prior to which I was based in Geneva (on the Management Board of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and as an Adjunct Faculty Member of the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights).
I have been a full-time academic since 2003. Formerly an officer in the Royal Navy, I took early retirement from the RN (and from the Central Policy Staff in the Ministry of Defence) to found and head the Politics and International Relations department at Royal Holloway College, University of London, remaining there for five years until my move to Geneva in 2008.
Since moving to Greenwich, I have had a strong pro bono engagement with international civil-society organisations. From 2012, I acted as legal and military adviser to the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), being author of International Guidelines for the Protection of Education from Military Use in Armed Conflict which have, to date (mid-2024), been formally endorsed, within the Safe Schools Declaration, by 119 states, including the UK. My work on this was submitted as an Impact Case Study for REF21 and judged by the REF Panel as of ‘world leading’ 4 Star quality. This work also led to me being invited to chair Save the Children International's Civil-Military Engagement Advisory Board (2018-22). Since 2014 I have been an active Trustee of the NGO Human Rights at Sea and led an international team in the development of the Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea (GDHRAS).
My external focus going forward is now on international advocacy for the GDHRAS. In connection with that, I am a member of the International Law Association’s Committee on the Protection of Peoples at Sea, the Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association Human Rights and Rule of Law Committee and have been appointed a member of the Expert Panel available to the United Nations’ Division of Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea.
Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence
Since I became a full-time academic in 2003, my work has benefited substantially from over thirty years previous service in the RN, including on operations and on both the Naval and Central Policy Staffs in the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
I served at sea as a Warfare Officer in a variety of surface warships, deploying into the North and South Atlantic, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as well as waters closer to home. I am a graduate of both Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth (1972) and, coincidentally, a double graduate (1979 and 1993) of the Royal Naval Staff College in Greenwich. Operationally, I served on UN mandated economic embargo operations off Mozambique (1973), spent over four years with the Northern Ireland Security Forces (1977-81), latterly as the Head of Operations (coastal security and maritime counter-terrorism) in the naval HQ in Belfast and served as a British Sea Fisheries Officer for three years from 1988-91, enforcing fisheries regulations (both UK and European) in Britain's Extended Fisheries Zone. In 2001 I deployed to the British led NATO Multi-National Brigade in Pristina, Kosovo and to the British Joint Task Force HQ in Freetown, towards the end of the civil war in Sierra Leone.
Staff appointments included membership of the Management Board of HM Naval Base Portland (with responsibility for the strategic plan for the base’s £30 million budget) and on the Executive Board of the Armed Forces' 'think-tank' at Shrivenham (in which I was the Head of Research and Project Management). That latter role followed my appointment as the RN member of the MoD’s 1998/99 Strategic Development Study which recommended the establishment of that ‘think tank’ to the then Secretary of State (George Robertson). I spent a total of eight years as a Royal Navy Commander in the Ministry of Defence, on the Naval Staff (1995-98) and within the Central Policy Staff (1998-2003). On the Naval Staff I had responsibility for relations between the Royal Navy and the navies of the former Soviet Union, especially the Russian Federation Navy. This included running the UK Delegations to trilateral talks between the RN, the US Navy and the Russian Federation Navy for those talks convened at the US Naval War College, Newport Rhode Island in 1997 and at the Kuznetsov Academy, St Petersburg in 1998. In 1999/2000 I established the tri-Service team of military lawyers which has since had responsibility for the legal review of all new weapons and associated systems under development or being procured for the UK’s Armed Forces (a legal requirement under Article 36 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I to the 1949 Geneva Conventions).
ENDS.
Source: Human Rights at Sea 2025.
Certified Original. AI was not used in the drafting of this article.
Photo Credits: Olga Martin-Ortega, Elizabeth Mavropoulou, University of Greenwich, David Hammond.
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