Resolution A.867(20)

COMBATING UNSAFE PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRAFFICKING OR TRANSPORT OF MIGRANTS BY SEA

(Adopted on 27 November 1997)

THE ASSEMBLY,

RECALLING Article 15(j) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Assembly in relation to regulations and guidelines concerning maritime safety,

RECALLING also the adoption, in 1993, of resolution A.773(18) on enhancement of safety of life at sea by the prevention and suppression of unsafe practices associated with alien smuggling by ships,

NOTING WITH CONCERN incidents involving substandard ships used for the trafficking or transport of migrants, which have reportedly resulted in heavy loss of life,

NOTING FURTHER the recommendation made by the Facilitation Committee at its twenty-fifth session that the Maritime Safety Committee be invited to consider taking appropriate measures in the context of the concern expressed by the Secretary-General in document FAL 25/7/1,

BEING AWARE of the work currently carried out in this field by the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice,

BEARING IN MIND the relevant rights and obligations contained in the International Law of the Sea,

RECOGNIZING the grave danger to life arising from unsafe practices associated with the trafficking or transport of migrants by sea,

BEING OF THE OPINION that Governments should co-operate in taking, as a matter of the highest priority, all necessary action to prevent and suppress any unsafe practices associated with the trafficking or transport of migrants by sea,

1. INVITES Governments to co-operate in the interests of safety of life at sea by increasing their efforts to suppress and prevent unsafe practices associated with the trafficking or transport of migrants by sea and by ensuring that effective and prompt action is taken against such unsafe practices;