TERRORISTS HELPED UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW
January 29, 2010 10:38 AM
Nick Harvey says: "I have been dismayed by recent news the Royal Navy has been obliged under international law to help pirates off Somalia. In affect this is assisting al-Shabaab the Somali militant group known to have links with pirates.
According to the Ministry of Defence the Royal Navy gave humanitarian supplies to Somali pirates on four occasions last year. Also while 66 suspects were seized none were taken into custody.
"All this makes a mockery of the UK's anti-piracy patrols in this part of the world," adds Nick. "In some quarters al-Shabaab and the pirates are thought to be one and the same thing."
In response to criticism Defence Minister Baroness Taylor said all the men were release as there was insufficient evidence to arrest anyone. In the four cases where the Navy provided supplies she said this was done "in line with our duty under international lay to render assistance to ensure safety of life at sea."
Nick concludes, "A western naval task force has been operating in this region for years and yet piracy and gun running remains a major problem in the waters between Somalia and Yemen."
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