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South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Government Embarks on Compliance Initiatives with Human Rights at Sea Training

A Step Towards Promoting Compliance and Protecting Seafarers

A team of officers from the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) recently underwent a comprehensive virtual training session with Human Rights at Sea. This significant step in their ongoing commitment to promoting compliance and human rights within the maritime environment is made possible through funding from the UK Government Blue Belt Programme.

The Training Session

The interactive session focused on increasing individual awareness among GSGSSI officers of the scale, scope, and types of abuses that can occur in the maritime world. It also emphasized identifying and protecting actual or potential victims of abuse at sea, as well as raising awareness about the importance of proactive approaches in preventing such incidents.

A Valuable First Step

Sue Gregory, Marine Environment Fisheries Manager at GSGSSI, praised the training for its thought-provoking content, which has been a valuable first step in developing their proactive approach to protecting seafarers. “Whilst all vessels operating within our waters are strictly regulated, we sadly recognize that human rights violations are an endemic risk within the maritime world,” she said. “This initial training was incredibly insightful and has been a vital step in raising awareness as we continue to work towards ensuring safe and ethical living and working conditions for all on board.”

A Commitment to Promoting Compliance and Protecting Seafarers

The GSGSSI’s commitment to promoting compliance and protecting seafarers is evident in their public pledge made in 2021, emphasizing the importance of human rights at sea. The government has vowed to engage with organizations like Human Rights at Sea to understand areas where they can improve welfare standards and address any potential issues.

A Dedication to Ensuring Human Rights Apply at Sea

Laura Sinclair Willis, Chief Executive Officer of GSGSSI, underscored the government’s dedication to ensuring that human rights apply at sea as they do on land. “We will continue to work closely with HRAS and other organizations to continuously improve welfare standards and promote a culture of respect for human rights within our maritime zone,” she said.

A Welcome Reception

The Human Rights at Sea training has been well-received by the GSGSSI team, and their expertise is now being utilized in various areas, including fisheries management and shipping engagements. The organization welcomes inquiries about its wide range of online and in-person training programs, emphasizing the importance of awareness development and proactive approaches in promoting compliance and protecting human rights at sea.

Contact Human Rights at Sea

For those interested in learning more about Human Rights at Sea’s training programs or have questions about their work, please contact them at enquiries@humanrightsatsea.org.