The IMO Secretary-General has kindly provided a supporting message on the occasion of the closure of the UK Charity, Human Rights at Sea.

“Well-being is a fundamental human right of seafarers. Their right to a safe and decent workplace, repatriation, protection in case of abandonment, and fair treatment must be upheld. Human Rights at Sea has, over the past decade, made a substantial contribution in advocating for those who live, work or are in dire condition at  sea. The work to uphold human rights for seafarers is not over - and will continue.”
 
 
Charity Closure Message from Human Rights at Sea
 
WITH A HEAVY HEART WE HAVE CLOSED AS A SUSTAINABLE FUNDING AND OPERATING MODEL COULD NOT BE SECURED
After a decade of work we will aim to keep the website open for stakeholders to retain access to historic resources and access to the Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea
 
Monday 7 April 2025
 
HUMAN RIGHTS AT SEA CHARITY CLOSES

The Trustees of the UK NGO Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) have taken the decision to close the charity since a sustainable funding and operating model cannot be secured.
 
Since its foundation in 2014, HRAS has issued over 100 publications, helped support policy and legal changes for protections at sea in over 50 countries, and participated in three EU funded programmes, one leading to the new EU ‘BlueRights’ initiative led by former Board members. Key highlights include;
 
  • The first civil society Code of Conduct for rescue of migrants in the Mediterranean
  • The first state-level conference on Human Rights at Sea in Mumbai in 2019
  • Formulating the Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea in 2019 
  • Achieving UN Economic and Social Council status as a recognised NGO in 2022
 
Although the charity is closing, the website is being preserved to ensure continued free access to a decade's worth of reports and data. The Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea continues to gain traction as the landmark document on maritime human rights and the Trustees look forward to others contniuing to promote it. 
 
David Hammond, the founder and former CEO of Human Rights at Sea will be leading work to ensure that the website is preserved, freely accessible to all. 
 
The Trustees would like to thank the supporters, funders, advisors, staff and partners who have supported the charity's work over the past ten years, and especially David whose vision, energy and drive has done so much to establish and advance the cause of human rights at sea. 
 
Human rights apply at sea, as they do on land.
 
ENDS.

 

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE TO HAS MADE THE LAST DECADE AN IMPACTFUL AND MEMORABLE ONE THROUGH 1000'S OF PRO BONO HOURS, GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT, AND TRIGGER INITIATIVES

 

International Press Coverage

Lloyds List: Seafarers are disposable in shipping, says Human Rights at Sea founder

Splash 24/7: Human Rights at Sea charity closes down

Tradewinds: With a heavy heart’: Seafarer rights charity closes due to lack of funding

 
ENDS.
 

Photo: IMO

Contact: If you have any questions, please write to us at enquiries@hrasi.org.

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