Colorado, USA – 9 June 2014: Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) welcomes the release of the 11
remaining hostages of the MV Albedo. We particularly commend the work of the UNODC Hostage
Support Programme as well as the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme as they
continue to work for the safe release of all remaining hostages. The release of these hostages is a
great relief for the seafarers and their families and is a positive development towards the goal of
returning all the seafarers still held by pirates.
While Somali piracy has decreased in recent years, the Albedo serves as a reminder that violence
against seafarers continues and the legacy of piracy persists. Both the crew and their families have
endured nearly four years of suffering since the vessel was hijacked on 26 November 2010 with 23
crewmembers on board. The plight of the Albedo crew became more critical when the vessel sank
on 8 July 2013, causing the pirates to move the hostages ashore for the remainder of their captivity.
Although no longer held by pirates, the crewmembers’ saga is far from over. Following the
protracted period of captivity, these men are likely to require ongoing medical care and treatment.
Dr. Conor Seyle of OBP, who studies the long-term effects of piracy on seafarers, says “The length
of time these men were held, as well as the conditions of their captivity, puts them at particular risk
of long-term impacts. Mitigating this impact will require continued commitment to support these
seafarers through their reintegration process after 1,288 days spent in captivity.”
Financial hardship is also common among captive seafarers and their families because of disruption
or cessation of wages and the loss of personal items. The Albedo crewmembers will likely
experience financial difficulties. However, due to the unique circumstances of the seafarers’
captivity, there is the lingering question of who bears the responsibility for long-term care and
financial support.
OBP hopes that the release of the Albedo crew and the rest of the remaining hostages will further
encourage the international community to increase its support for creating alternative livelihoods for
young Somalis and thereby put an enduring end to Somalia-based piracy.
“While we are encouraged by their release, we must stay engaged in the work to release the
approximately 38 seafarers who are still held in pirate custody,” Seyle adds, “until there are zero
hostages and zero ships held by pirates, the human cost is too high.”
Via: http://oceansbeyondpiracy.org
