Attorney-General calls for continued partnerships to tackle Maritime Crimes

Photo : GIS Mauritius

Mauritius has made significant progress in strengthening Maritime Governance through specialised units, such as the Maritime Law and Human Trafficking Committee, and by way of technological advancements, for instance via the use of vessel tracking systems. Continued collaboration with regional and international partners in achieving long-term progress is also important in that regard.

This statement was made by the Attorney-General, Mr Gavin Patrick Cyril Glover, today, at the InterContinental Resort in Balaclava. He was speaking at the opening of a conference on Maritime Crimes, organised jointly by the Global Maritime Crime Programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of Mauritius.

Supported by the Japanese Embassy, the event focused on the theme, “Enhancing Legal Finish of Maritime Crime in the Indian Ocean,” and brought together prosecutors from various countries to address transnational maritime crimes in the region.

The DPP, Mr Abdool Rashid Ahmine; the Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Mauritius, Ms Tanaka; the UNODC Representative, Regional Office for East Africa, Ms Ashita Mittal; and other dignitaries attended the event.

In his address, Mr Glover remarked that the conference marks a significant step in the collective fight against maritime threats. He highlighted that Mauritius, strategically located at the crossroads of key shipping routes, faces considerable risks from piracy, human trafficking, illegal fishing, and environmental crimes. He moreover observed that the enactment of the Piracy and Maritime Violence Act of 2011 aligns with international conventions and demonstrates the country’s commitment to addressing these challenges.

For his part, the DPP, Mr Ahmine, highlighted the importance of improving the legal framework to enhance the prosecution of maritime crimes in the Indian Ocean. He pointed out the significant threats posed by transnational crimes, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, piracy, and illegal fishing, which undermine national security and international trade. He noted the challenges in evidence gathering and admissibility in court. The DPP further stressed the need for continuous training for investigators and prosecutors, recommending prosecution-led investigations to improve legal outcomes in complex cases.

Ms Tanaka, speaking on behalf of the Ambassador of Japan to Mauritius, Mr Kan Masahiro, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to promoting the rule of law. She underlined Japan’s contributions, such as the provision of boats and the implementation of a Coastal Surveillance Radar System for Mauritius, to combat transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking, illegal fishing, and threats to undersea cables. She, moreover, acknowledged Mauritius as a key hub for international legal cooperation and reiterated Japan’s ongoing collaboration with the UNODC and international partners.

Source : GIS Maurituis