11 July 2024 – Today, 11 July 2024, the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), on its 56th Session in Geneva, adopted by consensus a resolution on promoting and protecting the enjoyment of human rights by seafarers.
The Philippine initiative, shepherded by the Department of Foreign Affairs through the Philippine Mission in Geneva, and co-sponsored by 28 countries, as of this date, is the first-ever resolution on seafarers to be introduced and adopted in the UN HRC.
Filipinos are the largest nationality of maritime crew serving the international merchant fleet.
Ships carry around 90% of global trade. Almost everything that sustains our societies and lifestyles is made possible by global supply chains that depend on maritime transport and the men and women behind it.
This milestone resolution by the Human Rights Council advances an advocacy of the Philippines, other foreign governments, relevant international organizations and stakeholders to protect and promote the well-being of some 1.9 million seafarers, over a quarter of them Filipinos.
The resolution acknowledges that seafarers brave challenging conditions at sea that pose risks to their enjoyment of human rights, safety, and well-being. Seafarers conduct their duties, even at times under dangerous conditions.
This resolution affirms that safe and decent living and working conditions at sea is a human rights imperative, and calls for stronger collaboration between States, shipowners’ representatives, seafarers’ representatives, the International Labor Organization, the International Maritime Organization, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to uphold and protect the rights and dignity of all seafarers around the world.
Women comprise only 2 percent of the world’s shipping crew. This resolution looks to the future highlighting the need to foster a maritime industry where women are safe and their rights respected.
The Philippines applauds this decision of the Human Rights Council.
As a seafaring nation with a considerable global diaspora, the Philippines will sustain its active engagement in the Council, the United Nations and all relevant international bodies, to contribute meaningfully to global efforts to set the highest standards to promote and protect the dignity and rights of migrants worldwide. END
source: dfa.gov.ph