The Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme welcomes the release of Captain Sunil James.
Captain James had been held by Togolese authorities on suspicion of aiding and abetting pirates that captured his ship and robbed its cargo. His 11 month old son died in hospital in India at the beginning of December and MPHRP and others called for compassionate leave to be granted so he could return to India to perform last rites for his son.
MPHRP expresses its heartfelt condolences to the James family at the sad loss of their son.
MPHRP applauds the Togolese Government for tackling piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. The prosecution of pirates and armed robbers who commit maritime crimes and put seafarers’ lives at risk, should be met with the full force of the law. Togo has also upheld the principle that all accused are innocent until proven otherwise. And Togo has demonstrated its support for humanitarian values in showing compassion.
MPHRP wishes to thank its partner organisations in the maritime industry for their support especially the ships owner, manning agents and the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) member the Deutsche Seemannsmission (German Seamen’s Mission) for its welfare support of Captain Sunil and other crew members while in Togo.
MPHRP is committed to continue its assistance and care for the James family in India.
Via: http://www.mphrp.org/
