IMO Stance on Killing of Fishermen
According to Lee Adamson, head of the IMO’s public information services, the incident which occurred off the coast of Kerala on 15 February, does not fall under the purview of the global maritime regulator.
IMO refuses to intervene in row over killing of fishermen
The two marines, employed with the Italian government, were part of a security detachment assigned to protect the Italian merchant ship Enrica Lexie from pirate attacks in the Indian Ocean
By P. Manoj
Live Mint
Bangalore: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has declined to intervene in the diplomatic row that started because of the killing of two Indian fishermen by Italian marines, saying its guidance pertains only to private armed security on ships and not government naval personnel.
The two marines, employed with the Italian government, were part of a security detachment assigned to protect the Italian merchant ship Enrica Lexie from pirate attacks in the Indian Ocean. The marines claim they shot the fishermen mistaking them for pirates.
The incident, which occurred off the coast of Kerala on 15 February, does not fall under the purview of the global maritime regulator, Lee Adamson, head, public information services, IMO, said in an emailed response.
“Any loss of life at sea is regrettable. However, we are unable to offer you any comment on the circumstances surrounding this incident. It seems, from the facts that have emerged thus far, that this is not something covered by any IMO measure,” Adamson said.
The killings have blown into a diplomatic row, with Italy claiming India does not have jurisdiction over the matter as the incident occurred beyond its territorial waters, and India insisting that it does—because the fishermen were on an Indian vessel. The two naval guards have been arrested.
Italy has sent its junior foreign minister Staffan De Mistura to India to deal with the matter. On Wednesday, the Italian government and the two naval guards moved the Kerala high court seeking quashing of the charges against the marines.
The petitioners submitted that………[access full article]
