Isolate Piracy Ringleaders & Financiers Advises UNODC Chief

Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime, Yury Fedotov summed up his advice at the conclusion of his East Africa visit.

During the visit to East Africa, the UNODC Chief discussed counter-piracy efforts with heads of state and ministers, met with local counter-piracy and organized crime experts, and inspected prisons, and a training academy.

"If we are to counter piracy, we must break-up the criminal groups, identify and isolate the ringleaders and financiers, and disrupt their cash shipments through coordinated police and border work. UNODC's role is to support the criminal justice chain. We also recognize that there is no piracy without pirates. As a result, downstream, we need strong advocacy from community leaders and others in Somalia to prevent young men hijacking ships," said Mr. Fedotov at the close of the counter-piracy mission.

The ten-day mission was undertaken to gain personal insights into the complex nature of piracy and its impact on the countries of East Africa. His visit also looked at UNODC's response to the way piracy undermines local economies and sends illicit funds flowing into other crimes.

For the last four years, UNODC has operated a US$55 million dollar counter-piracy programme, in line with human rights standards, in East Africa. A programme that has sought region-wide cooperation in holding fair trials and providing safe, secure imprisonment of pirates, particularly in Somalia.