A Pirated Criminal Justice System
Apr 19th, 2009 | 7 responses
Yesterday a Greek-flagged tanker was almost hijacked by Somali pirates. With the help of a Dutch naval frigate, however, the attack was beaten off. The frigate than followed the pirates to their mother ship, a previously hijacked fishing vessel with a crew of twenty. These twenty captives were freed. Then the Dutch let the pirates go.
Today pirates tried to hijack a Norwegian tanker and were beaten off by a NATO naval craft. It followed, captured the pirates, and let them go.
Let them go? Again? Sure. Why not?
It’s not as if piracy is a big deal. Yes, it’s a form of armed robbery. And yes, in Somali waters it also features kidnapping. And yes, in the pirates quest for some ransom a few ships on the high seas have been shot up a bit. But maybe people around the world should stop anguishing about this. Indeed, maybe what’s happening on the seas is a lesson we should apply on land.
Think of the benefits in doing to armed robbers and kidnappers here what most nations are now doing to Somali pirates. Few if any victims would be killed or even hurt if we just gave the thieves and kidnappers the money they demanded. In these tough economic times we could also save a packet on currently bloated police forces.
In the name of fairness we might also see piracy the way some Somalis (and a lot of the world’s most compassionate thinkers) do. Just as Somali pirates are alleged to have been driven to their present occupation by illegal foreign fishing off their coast, most armed robbers and kidnappers on land come from poor surroundings, too. Everyone is a victim here, right? Why should only some of these victims be punished?
I’m not suggesting nothing should be done about Somali piracy. Heck, just yesterday, Secretary of State Clinton said some pretty harsh things about the practice. There are even reports she made shame-shame motions while speaking, a powerful expression of disapproval that must have made the pirates feel just awful.
In recent weeks some very nasty ideas have been put forth about stopping piracy in this part of the world. They include arming merchant ships, dramatically increasing naval power in the area, even going after the pirates and killing those who don’t stop their current mode of making a living. Darn nasty stuff.
I have a better solution. On land and sea, let’s all join hands and promise to live together in peace and harmony like the birds and the flowers. Let’s ignore armed criminality on land as we largely now do at sea. Let’s talk as if talk really might solve the problem. And if it doesn’t, let’s pretend the same kind of thing won’t spring up in many other parts of an increasingly impoverished world.
Maybe when confronting piracy, all we really need is love.
7 Responses to “A Pirated Criminal Justice System”
From what I understand there is no clear international guideline for handling pirates. BTW: I think those pirates which were let go actually received provisions (though they did have their weapons confiscated, so I guess it's a form of barter…
So Michael, your idea of just giving the pirates love would certainly be one clear international standard we could follow.
Or perhaps we can treat them like the pirates they are and throw them in the brig. Take them to court (the country of jurisdiction to be determined) and give food, water and shelter, which is what they're looking for. Except it would be in a ightly controlled environment called “jail”. At least they wouldn't be holding people hostages and killing them.
Maybe a harshly worded letter would work?
On the other hand, France did apprehend and take to France some pirates. I don't necessarily think we need any more prisoners, so I would go along with taking their weapons, sinking their boats, taking their pictures for INTERPOL and letting them go. But since in most cases the merchant vessels are coming “under fire” from these pirates, I see no problem with cargo ships returning fire. Maybe this doesn't have to be a government solution.
“From what I understand there is no clear international guideline for handling pirates. “
There is a UN convention on such things. Article 105, “Seizure of a pirate ship or aircraft” of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea states:
“On the high seas, or in any other place outside the jurisdiction of any State, every State may seize a pirate ship or aircraft, or a ship or aircraft taken by piracy and under the control of pirates, and arrest the persons and seize the property on board. The courts of the State which carried out the seizure may decide upon the penalties to be imposed, and may also determine the action to be taken with regard to the ships, aircraft or property, subject to the rights of third parties acting in good faith.”
Marc, thanks!
Blame Canada.
really. Their laws, not international laws, prevent them from doing anything unless a Canadian vessel was attacked. Other countries can and will take them to the country of origin for trial or to any nearby port. Kenya has become very popular lately as a pirate drop off.
I kinda like Ron Paul's idea – pirate bounty hunters!
Think of the reality show tie-ins !