Saturday, July 16, 2011
'Somali PIRATES poses a real threat to countries in the region in terms of maritime security,
international trade and national security'
Mauritius and the European Union (EU) on Thursday signed an agreement on investigation and prosecution of suspected pirates in Mauritius, said a statement issued here by the government information center.
The agreement, outlining the conditions and modalities for the transfer of suspected pirates for investigation, prosecution, trial and detention in Mauritius, was signed by the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, Mrs. K.O Fong Weng- Poorun and the head of the EU delegation, Mr. Alessandro Mariani.
Maritime piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, particularly off the coast of Somalia, poses a real threat to countries in the region in terms of maritime security, international trade and national security.
The agreement sets out the conditions of transfer of suspected pirates and associated property seized from the EU-led naval force to Mauritius and the conditions of suspected pirates after transfer.
Under this agreement, Mauritius will investigate and prosecute Somali citizens suspected of piracy.
It covers the conditions under which suspected pirates are handed over, and treated after they are transferred.
The agreement also ensures that suspects transferred are given the benefit of a fair trial, and treated in accordance with international human rights law standards whilst in prison.
According to Mrs. Fong Weng-Poorun, the agreement makes provision for a new prison and a new court to be built in Mauritius for the detention and trial of suspected pirates.
As regards the trial of suspected pirates, the Attorney General’ s Office is working on a new legislation which will soon be introduced into the National Assembly, she added.
Mauritius hosted the Second Regional Ministerial meeting last October, during which a regional strategy was adopted.
The strategy provides for a regional framework to prevent and combat piracy and promote maritime security and a rolling plan of action setting out short-term, medium-term and long-term measures.
Mr. Mariani, in his address, pointed out that piracy is an international scourge and a problem which should be mitigated and overcome.
"The signature of today’s agreement is emblematic of the excellent relations between Mauritius and the EU. It also shows the common interest of our leaders to fight maritime piracy" he said.
The EU has agreed to provide financial support for the implementation of the Transfer Agreement.
In this context, the EU will provide 3,000,000 euros to the Country Strategy Paper and the National Indicative Program under the 10th European Development Fund.
An additional sum of 1,080,000 Euro financed under the Instrument for Stability of the EU, will be made available to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes to implement the short- term assistance package worked out between the EU and Mauritius.