United Nations Approves Funding to Help Somalia, Neighbouring Countries

 

Prosecute Maritime Piracy Suspects

 

NEW YORK, 23 April (Department of Political Affairs) -- A package of projects to help Somalia and its neighbours prosecute maritime piracy suspects was approved today by a 10-nation board overseeing a new United Nations trust fund for the fight against piracy.

The announcement was made at United Nations Headquarters by B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who chairs the Board of the Trust Fund to Support Initiatives of States Countering Piracy off the Coast of Somalia.  “Piracy off Somalia is a menace to the region and the world.  Prosecuting suspected pirates is an important piece of the international strategy to combat the problem,” he said.

The five projects approved by consensus today cost $2.1 million and focus primarily on support for the prosecution of piracy suspects.  Four of the projects will help strengthen institutions in the Seychelles, which is serving alongside Kenya as a regional centre for the prosecution of suspected pirates, as well as in the regions of Puntland and Somaliland, in such areas as mentoring of prosecutors and police; constructing and rehabilitating prisons; reviewing domestic legislation on piracy; and enhancing the capacity of the courts.  An additional media project seeks to help local partners design and disseminate anti-piracy messages within Somalia.

The Board also recently established an emergency funding facility to offset the costs involved in prosecuting piracy suspects arrested at sea, including travel for witnesses, court equipment and the transportation of suspects.  The Trust Fund was established in January 2010 by the Contact Group on Piracy Off the Coast of Somalia.

Under-Secretary-General Pascoe said that, with today’s approvals, the Trust Fund’s initial contributions have been largely spent and it will need new donations to replenish it.

The Board comprises 10 voting members -- Djibouti, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Norway, Somalia and the United States -- as well as three non-voting entities –- the International Maritime Organization (IMO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations country team for Somalia.

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For information media • not an official record