Naval anti-piracy effort urged by MEPs

MEPs called today for an international effort to counter piracy on the high seas.

A resolution approved in Strasbourg urged a major coordinated naval response particularly off the Somalian coast to ensure safe passage of humanitarian aid and trade through the Horn of Africa.

The call follows increasing piracy around the world, with an average of two attacks a day somewhere at sea. An estimated 300 people are currently being held hostage by pirates.

“Modern-day pirates have no romance attached to them”, said British Labour MEP Brian Simpson. “They are desperate, dangerous and well armed criminals that need to be brought to book.

“This resolution sends out a strong message that a coordinated effort is needed from all governments and organisations to combat this very serious problem.”

The resolution says piracy represents a growing threat to human life and safety, particularly off Somalia and the Horn of Africa, with increasing criminal assaults against fishermen, merchant and passenger ships in international waters near the African coasts.

It goes on: “The unhindered passage of vessels plying their trade legally on the high seas is an absolute precondition for international commerce.

“EU fishermen on the high seas have been targeted by pirates and the threat of piracy has led a significant number of EU fishing vessels to withdraw from seas hundreds of kilometres from the Somali coast or to reduce their fishing activity in the region”.

The resolution calls on the Somali transitional government, in collaboration with the UN and the African Union, “to treat piracy and armed robbery committed from the Somali coast against vessels carrying humanitarian aid as criminal acts to be pursued by arresting the perpetrators under existing international law”.

The UK Independence Party said piracy should be considered an “act of war” and treated accordingly.

Gerard Batten, London UKIP MEP, said: “In the week that marks the 203rd anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, this resolution, if adopted, would render the Royal Navy impotent to combat piracy. Nelson would spin in his grave and Blackbeard would laugh his socks off.”

He added: “Pirates are ruthless, well-armed thieves and killers. They are not going to be deterred by the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism. We must ensure that the Royal Navy retains the power to attack pirates and kill them if necessary”.

The European Parliament resolution supports the creation of “EU-NAVCO” a coordinated naval response plan to isolate pirates operating off Somalia.

The resolution also calls for the greater cooperation between the EU, UN and the African Union to deal with piracy.