Panels & Workshops

Dark Waters: Combating Human Rights Abuses at Sea

Criminal activity has flourished in the oceans. Human rights abuses often drive issues like environmental harm, overfishing, piracy, migration, human trafficking, and other illicit activities on the high seas. Traffickers may lure vulnerable individuals onto cargo or fishing vessels with false promises of employment. Migrants fleeing violent authoritarian regimes board dangerous vessels seeking shelter abroad. But those who suffer serious harm at sea often have no legal recourse. Victims of human rights abuses must rely on the jurisdiction of the state operating the vessel, which has no interest in investigating or prosecuting crimes or abuses. Authoritarian regimes often emerge as some of the worst offenders of rights at sea. This panel will examine the various threats to human rights at sea, mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing compliance, and pathways to justice for survivors and victims.

Panelists

Milko Schvartzman

Milko Schvartzman

Marine conservation campaigner
Steven Haines

Steven Haines

Professor
Irini Papanicolopulu

Irini Papanicolopulu

British Academy Global professor of international law, SOAS University of London

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