The United Nations (UN) issued a news release stating that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling for a long-term strategy of deterrence, security, rule of law, and development to fight the scourge of piracy off the Somali coast. In announcing the launch of the World Maritime Day theme, IMO Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropoulos said: “We were appalled by yesterday’s news that pirates had executed, apparently in cold blood, a seafarer on the Beluga Nomination.” The main aims of the Action Plan are to: (1) increase pressure at the political level to secure the release of all hostages held by the pirates; (2) review and improve the Best Management Practices to deter pirate attacks; (3) promote better support from and cooperation with navies operating in pirate waters; (4) promote anti-piracy coordination; (5) assist States to build capacity to deter piracy and to bring pirates to justice; and (6) provide care for those attacked and their families. (2/3/11).
(Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)