The first Commentary to accompany the Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea has been issued providing a strategic overview of the need contribution and impact that the soft law instrument will have.

The Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea (the Declaration) is a civil society initiated soft law instrument designed to bring greater legal certainty and clarity to the emerging topic and narrative of ‘human rights at sea’, itself intimately linked to the protection of all persons at sea without exception.

Conceived in February 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland by CEO David Hammond supported by an expert international drafting team and international maritime law firm reviews it is a response to the ongoing systematic abuse of human rights at sea globally. The Declaration brings together existing international law and legal obligations, stating them clearly in one document.

The Declaration is intended as a catalyst and key soft-law reference document capable of inducing change to better protect the individual rights of all persons at sea through the requirement to uphold existing State obligations.

The starting point of the Declaration is the accepted position of the universal nature and application of fundamental human rights. It maintains that human rights are applicable to all people, regardless of whether they are living, working, or transiting on land or at sea.

Being at sea does not remove State obligations to promote and protect fundamental human rights, nor does it mean an individual should not enjoy their human rights, freedoms and associated protections.

The Commentary will now be translated into 12 languages accompanying respective translations of the original English text.

Source: HRAS