NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE
Ian Urbina campaigning journalist at the New York Times has been in touch again with me.
Ian compiled some of the ‘Outlaw Ocean’ series of articles run by the prominent US publication recently and promised to keep the Celtic League up to speed with any developments. He is also aware of our actions as a UN NGO to urge action by both the International Labour Organisation and International Maritime Organisation to improve labour standards for all who make their living at sea.
The Outlaw Ocean series of articles you will recall was wide ranging and looked at a diverse range of ways in which mariners both merchant seamen and fishermen are denied basic rights and in some instances used as forced labour.
It also focused on the general lack of respect for law at sea and published dramatic video footage of the apparent murder of a number of people at sea!
Ian has provided us with a brief roundup on several recent developments related (at least tangentially) to The Outlaw Ocean series some of which I will outline below.
First and most significantly U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently offered a bit more insight on his hopes and plans for improving policing at sea. He gave this input in interviews with the NY Times (example at the link below):
Ian also highlighted Secretary Kerry’s focus on forced labour at the ‘Our Ocean Conference’ in Chile. Most importantly he (Secretary Kerry) said that he intends to make the topic a focus of a further conference next year (link to interview):
Ian also highlighted the increased interest and involvement of the US Senate in the campaign to improve regulation at sea and concluded with a reference to action by Interpol to successfully bring wrongdoers to book.
It seems the NY Times campaign to improve the lot of all those who make a living at sea both fishermen and merchant seamen will continue and is making an impact.
More updates have been promised.
BERNARD MOFFATT
Issued by: The Celtic News
16/10/15
THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE
The Celtic League established in 1961 has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It promotes cooperation between the countries and campaigns on a range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, military activity and socio-economic issues
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/