For  immediate  release                                                                                                                                                                                                        LONDON:  Thursday  21  May            

 London  21  May  2015.  Human  Rights  at  Sea  (HRAS)  is  very  pleased  to  be  able  to  announce  that  it  has  become  a  Registered  Charity   in  England  and  Wales  after  only  13  months   since   its   launch  on  3  April  2014.      The  charity’s  aim  is  to  explicitly  raise  awareness,  implementation  and  accountability  of  human  rights  provisions  throughout  the  maritime  environment,  especially  where  they  are  currently  absent,  ignored  or  being  abused.  It  has  been  lawfully  established  and  constituted  with  strong  governance  and  national  regulatory  oversight.    Founder  and  now  CEO  of  HRAS,  David  Hammond,  said:  “The  development  of  Human  Rights  at  Sea  has  been  remarkably  quick,  first  as  an  initiative  and  now  as  a  charity.  This  reflects  what  we  see  as  a  clear  gap  in  the  international  space  for  such  a  charitable  body  and  its  investigatory  and  advocacy  work.  We  aim   to   ask   the   tough   questions   on   difficult  matters  while   delivering   objective   solutions  where   able.  This  approach  has  already  highlighted  the  strong  moral  fibre  of  those  who  will  work  with  us.”    “This  is  clearly  a  fantastic  achievement  for  the  HRAS  team  who  have  put  in  significant  effort  and  many  long  hours  in  this  first  year  in  order  to  establish  the  organisation  on  very  limited  funding  and  support.  Nevertheless,  we  have  demonstrated  significant  value  for  money  to  date,  and  we  have  delivered  on  our  promise  to  provide  an  objective  international  maritime  human  rights  platform.  Our  investigative  case  studies,   maritime-­‐based   projects   and   programmes   are   all   clearly   relevant   to   today’s   maritime  environment.”    “HRAS  will  go  from  strength-­‐to-­‐strength  as  an  independent  platform  supporting  the  maritime  human  element,  promoting  corporate  social  responsibility  and  as  an  organisation  we  are  here  to  stay.”    A   joint   trustees  statement   led  by   Jens  Dieckmann,  Attorney-­‐at-­‐Law  said:   “What  distinguishes  Human  Rights   at   Sea   is   the   overarching  approach.   Human   rights   on   the   high   seas   applies   to   everyone;  fishermen,  refugees  and  seafarers,  while  the  modern  maritime  and  fishing  industries  need  to  apply  the  highest   human   rights   standards   throughout   the   entire   supply   chain.   Such   a   holistic   international  approach   is   both   unique   and   beyond   compare   at   this   time.   The   current   refugee   crisis   in   the  Mediterranean  and   in  South  East  Asia  shows  that  an   isolated  consideration  and  approach  falls  short.  HRAS  is  able  to  make  a  decisive  contribution  to  fill   this  gap.  We,  the  HRAS  Trustees,  will  ensure  that  this  ambitious  mission  will  be  successfully  accomplished."        Commenting   on   the   achievement,  members   of   the  Advisory  Board   and   other  HRAS   supporters   have  added  their  congratulations:  

 

 

 Martin  Foley,  National  Director,  Apostleship  of  the  Sea  &  HRAS  Board  of  Advisors  “In  a  very  short  space  of  time  HRAS  has  become  a  powerful  advocate  for  seafarers'  rights.  Registration                  as   a   charity   will   enhance   its   ability   to   speak   up   on   behalf   of   seafarers   who   are   denied   their   basic  rights.”  

   Philip  Wake,  Chief  Executive,  The  Nautical  Institute  “The  Nautical  Institute  is  delighted  to  hear  that  Human  Rights  at  Sea  has  achieved  charitable  status  in  the  UK.  We   are   sure   that   this   not   only   confirms   that   a   sound   governance   structure   has   been   put   in  place  to  underpin  their  work  on  behalf  of  seafarers  but  that  it  will  also  assist  the  industry  in  supporting  their  important  work  financially.  It  is  a  sad  but  undeniable  fact  that  seafarers  continue  to  be  unjustly  criminalised   for   bona   fide   accidents   in   the   course   of   their   essential  work   for   society   and   the  world  economy   and   to   be   denied   shore   leave   in   some   countries,   so   the   support  HRAS  provides   to   them   is  essential  and  The  Nautical  Institute  looks  forward  to  working  with  them  to  address  these  issues.”      Holman  Fenwick  Willan  LLP  “HFW  is  delighted  that  the  work  of  Human  Rights  at  Sea  has  been  recognised  through  the  achievement  of  registered  charity  status.  Having  worked  with  HRAS  from  its  inception,  we  fully  support  its  aims  and  believe  that  recognition  by  the  Charity  Commission  is  a  true  reflection  of  the  hard  work  and  dedication  of   those   involved   in  progressing  this   important  cause.  We   look   forward  to  supporting  HRAS  through  the  next  stage  of  their  development.”      Andrew  Varney,  Managing  Director  Port2Port  Limited  "Charity   Status   for   the  Human  Rights   at   Sea   is   a   fantastic   achievement   for  David  Hammond   and  his  team.   This   reinforces   the   most   basic   of   rights   for   seafarers   across   the   globe,   including   maritime  security  operatives  working  on  board.   I   fully  support   the  promotion  and  awareness  of  human  rights  for  all  seafarers;  only  recently  one  of  Port2Port’s  contractors  was  involved  in  the  rescue  of  fishermen  off   Ghana,   following   the   sinking   of   their   vessel.   All   maritime   security   operatives   embark   with   a  thorough   understanding   of   their   moral   and   contractual   responsibilities   to   their   fellow   seafarers,  underpinned  by  the  principles  defined  and  upheld  by  HRAS.”      Roy  Paul,  Programme  Director,  Maritime  Humanitarian  Piracy  Response  programme  (MHPRP)  “MHPRP  welcomes  the  news  that  charitable  status  has  been  achieved  by  Human  Rights  at  Sea.    HRAS  will   give   a   voice   to   seafarers  who,   at   sea,   are   out   of   sight   and   out   of  mind   and   often   live   and  work  without   protection   of   the   law.    The   desperation   to   escape   poverty   forces   seafarers   into   slavery   and  expose   them   to   inhuman   living   conditions.    The   failure   to  provide   adequate  protection   and   recovery  from   violent   maritime   crime,   deprive   seafarers   of   their   livelihood.    Their   lives   are  being  threatened.      The   numerous   faces   on   the   HRAS  Missing   Seafarers   Register   and   the   high   toll   of  unnamed  maritime  deaths  per  year  underscores  the  need  for  human  rights  to  be  applied  at  sea  with  as  much  diligence  as  anywhere  else.    MPHRP  has  added  many  of  those  seafarers  to  the  Register,  brought  to   our   attention   by   desperate   families   and   loved   ones   of   piracy   victims   and   other   maritime  incidents.     It   brings   some   comfort   knowing   that   their   kin   are   not   forgotten.    While   MLC2006   sets  minimum   standards,   it   falls   short   of   enforcing   human   rights   in   the   maritime   domain.    To   this   end  MPHRP  hopes  for  the  success  of  Human  Rights  at  Sea.”              Aleka  Sheppard,  Chairman  (Founder),  London  Shipping  Law  Centre  &  HRAS  Board  of  Advisors  “The  perils  at  sea  for  mariners  are  as  great  as  ever.  Take  piracy,  which  ranges  from  the  Gulf  of  Guinea  to   the   Indian   Ocean   and   the   Far   East.   Failed   states   such   as   Libya   have   dangerous   waters   for   both  

 

professional  mariners  and  now  migrants  trafficked  at  sea.  Even  in  modern  ships,  seafarers  are  exposed  to  serious  risks  as   they  have  been   for   thousands  of  years,  a  startling  situation   in  a  modern  world.   In  addition,  mariners  may  face  criminalisation,  even  for  defending  themselves  against  these  threats.  Yet,  it   is   paradoxical   that   the   rise   of   globalisation   through   trade   has   not   been   accompanied   by   a  concomitant  rise  in  protecting  the  human  rights  of  those  at  sea.  Therefore  the  grant  of  charitable  status  to   HRAS   is   a   great   achievement   and   very   timely   as   the   rights   of   seafarers   everywhere   require  safeguarding.”  

   Ken  Peters  Director  of  Justice  and  Public  Affairs  The  Mission  to  Seafarers  “I  am  delighted   to   recommend  Human  Rights  at  Sea   for  all   the  work   they  do   to  support   seafarers   in  need   and   for   their   key   activities   in   raising   awareness,   implementation   and   accountability   of   human  rights   provisions   through   the  maritime   environment.   They  work   to   research   and   publish   important  case   studies  based  on   international  maritime   law,  which  has  helped   countless   seafarers  where   their  human   rights   are   absent,   ignored   or   being   abused.   The  Mission  works   across   the   shipping  world   in  around  260  of   the  world’s  ports   and  our  vital  work  providing  welfare   services   to   seafarers   includes  pastoral   care   and   friendship   in   these   very   complex   circumstances,   amongst   others.       I   want   to  congratulate  David  Hammond  CEO  and  Founder  of  HRAS  for  setting  up  a  new  maritime  charity  which  is  now  registered  in  England  and  Wales.”      Associated  Foreign  Exchange  (AFEX)    “AFEX  is  delighted  that  Human  Rights  at  Sea  has  achieved  charity  status.    The  principles,  objectives  and  cutting   edge   approach   of   HRAS   towards   the   provision   of   human   rights   for   all   seafarers   resonate  entirely  with  AFEX’s  Maritime  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  Policy  and  we  congratulate  all  at  HRAS  for  this  deserved  recognition  of  the  importance  of  their  mission.”      Joanna  Ewart-­‐James,  Director,  Walk  Free  Partner  Network  "I  welcome  the   formal  establishment  of  Human  Rights  at  Sea.  The   isolation  which  attracts  many  to  a  life  at  sea  also  allows  rights  violations  to  thrive  hidden  from  view.  Whilst  life  at  sea  is  usually  a  positive  experience,   sadly   some   are   victims   of   crimes   such   as   modern   slavery.   The   Walk   Free   movement  remains  poised  to  support  organisations  like  HRAS  secure  change  to  end  slavery  at  sea."      Steven  Kay  QC,  Head  9  Bedford  Row  International  Group  &  HRAS  Board  of  Advisors  “The  HRAS   initiative   critically  emphasises   the   responsibilities   and  duties   owed   to   all   persons   on   the  high  seas  be  they  seafarers,  fishermen  or  boat  people.  This  neglected  area  of  people's  rights  now  has  a  protective  cover.”      David  Wardrop,  Chairman,  United  Nations  Association  Westminster  Branch  “The  United  Nations  Association  Westminster  Branch   congratulates  Human  Rights   at   Sea  on  gaining  charitable  status.  The  speed  with  which  organisations  like  ours  as  well  as  governments  and  individuals  confirmed   our   ready   support   for   its   strong   voice   advocating   human   rights   issues   in   the   maritime  environment  reflects  the  urgency  of  its  work  and  our  confidence  in  its  leadership.”      Rear-­‐Admiral  Nick  Lambert  Royal  Navy,  HRAS  Board  of  Advisors  “I   unhesitatingly   commend   the   vision   of  HRAS   and   the   recent   award   of   its   charitable   status   by   The  Charity  Commission.    Notwithstanding  the  sterling  efforts  of  many  agencies  and  institutions,  the  plight  of   countless   seafarers,   fishermen   and  migrants   at   sea   has   been   largely   ignored   by   the   international  community   for   far   too   long.    Proper  recognition  of  and  attention   to   their  human  rights  offers  a  clear  

 

course  of   action,   the  potential   for  effectively  addressing   their   circumstances  and,   above  all,  hope   for  the  many  people  we’re  seeing  all  too  often  in  news  media  coverage.”      Agustin  Blanco-­‐Bazan,  HRAS  Board  of  Advisors  “The  preservation  of  human  rights  at  sea  should  be  understood  as  a  paramount  task  conditioning  all  activities  in  the  maritime  field.  As  such,  it  should  be  addressed  holistically,  namely  as  a  subject  matter  comprising   the   aspirations   of   all:   seafarers,   migrants,   missing   persons   and   their   families,   alleged  offenders   in   connection   with   crimes   at   sea,   etc.   HRAS  enables   the   development   of   this   holistic  approach.  It  does  so  by  means  of  complementing  the  work  of  many  institutions  representing  different  sectors  of  the  maritime  industry.  In  this  way  HRAS  provides  the  added  value  of  a  vision  encompassing  all  situations  where  basic  rights  seem  to  be  more  vulnerable  at  sea  than  on  land.”      Brig.  Ret'd.,  Martin  Xuereb,  Director,  Migrant  Offshore  Aid  Station  (MOAS)    “The  work  HRAS  has  done   in  raising  awareness  on   the  need   for  protection  of  human  rights  at  sea   is  admirable.   I   am  very  pleased   to  hear   the  organisation  has   achieved   charitable   status   that  will   allow  them   to   extend   their   action   internationally.  MOAS  will   keep   collaborating  with   them   to   ensure   that  rights  of  vulnerable  people  at  sea  are  respected.”  

   Shelly  Whitman,  Executive  Director,  Romeo  Dallaire  Child  Soldiers  Initiative  "The  Roméo  Dallaire  Child  Soldiers   Initiative   is   elated   to  hear   that  Human  Rights  at  Sea   (HRAS)  has  received  registered  charity  status.  The  Dallaire  Initiative  has  been  a  proud  supporting  entity  of  Human  Rights  at  Sea  since  its  founding  and  we  look  forward  to  working  with  HRAS  to  develop  effective  means  of   mitigating,   and   hopefully   eliminating,   human   rights   abuses   at   sea.   HRAS   has   shown   unwavering  support   of   the   Dallaire   Initiative’s   work   on   raising   the   rights   of   children   on   the   maritime   security  sector  agenda.    The  Dallaire   Initiative   is   excited   to  build  upon  our  partnership  with  HRAS   to   further  our   effort   to   strengthen   the   capacity   of   the   security   sector   to   address   the   issue   of   children   used   in  maritime  piracy."      Jon  Huggins,  Oceans  Beyond  Piracy  (OBP)  “Human   Rights   at   Sea   has   become   an   important   voice   advocating   for   the   welfare   of   all   seafarers,  particularly  in  the  fight  to  end  the  practice  of  slavery  aboard  fishing  vessels  and  to  bring  attention  to  the  plight  of  missing  seafarers.    Oceans  Beyond  Piracy  congratulates  Human  Rights  at  Sea  on  achieving  registered   charity   status   which   will   provide   a   platform   to   continue   the   development   of   the  organization  and  significantly  contribute  to  achieving  its  mission.”        Anneley  Pickles,  Head  of  Business  Development  -­‐  Crewtoo  “Crewtoo   is   pleased   to   hear   the   very   good   news   that   Human   Rights   at   Sea   has   achieved   charitable  status   as   part   of   the   ongoing   expansion   of   the   organisation   and   the   work   that   it   does   to   highlight  human  rights  abuses  at  sea.  The  speed  at  which  HRAS  has  developed  is  testimony  to  the  real  need  for  its  work  in  support  of  seafarers  globally.”      Georgina  Godden,  Business  Development  Director  of  Psychological  Health  Consultancy  March  on  Stress  “I  am  delighted  that  Human  Rights  at  Sea  has  achieved  recognised  charitable  status.  This  reflects  their  hard  work  and  dedication  and  we  look  forward  to  continuing  to  work  together  to  ensure  psychological  support  for  seafarers.”  

-­‐Ends-­‐  

 

   Human   Rights   at   Sea   (HRAS)   is   a   Registered   Charity   in   England   and   Wales   No.   1161673.   The  organisation   has   been   independently   developed   for   the   benefit   of   the   international   community   for  matters  and  issues  concerning  human  rights  in  the  maritime  environment.  Its  aim  is  to  explicitly  raise  awareness,   implementation   and   accountability   of   human   rights   provisions   throughout   the  maritime  environment,  especially  where  they  are  currently  absent,  ignored  or  being  abused.    For  further  information  please  contact:    David  Hammond  CEO  &  Founder  Human  Rights  at  Sea  enquiries@humanrightsatsea.org  www.humanrightsatsea.org  9  Bedford  Row  |  LONDON  |  WC1R  4AZ  |  UK