The third meeting of the Joint ILO–IMO
Tripartite Working Group to identify and address seafarers’ issues and the
human element, which met in Geneva, Switzerland (26–28 November 2024) adopted
Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers detained in connection with alleged
crimes.
Following this adoption, the Guidelines will now be forwarded to the
IMO Legal Committee at its next session (March 2025) for adoption, as well as
to the ILO Governing Body.
The objective of these Guidelines is to ensure
that the human rights and legitimate interests of seafarers involved in alleged
crimes are recognized, that seafarers detained in connection with alleged
crimes are treated fairly by public authorities, and that investigation or
detention is for no longer than necessary, in accordance with the laws of the
port or coastal States.
The Guidelines contain guidance for port States, flag States, coastal
States, States of which the seafarer is a national, shipowners and seafarers.