During the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, a Philippine Government-led side event focused on enhancing protections for seafarers’ rights, titled “No one left adrift: Seafarers at the Cross currents of Commerce, Conflict, and Change.” Moderated by Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa T. Almojuela, this event served as a precursor to the upcoming International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety, and Well-being scheduled for September 1-3, 2025, in Manila.
The event included discussions with representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and governments of Norway, Panama, and Indonesia. The primary aim was to contextualize and emphasize the importance of human rights protections for seafarers, particularly in light of the Philippine Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers and a recent Human Rights Council resolution promoting seafarers’ human rights, adopted by consensus in July 2024.
David Hammond, Executive Director of Human Rights at Sea International, participated in the panel and highlighted the significance of the Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea, which he initiated in 2019. He emphasized that human rights apply equally at sea as they do on land—a core principle guiding their work since 2013. In its inception, the Geneva Declaration was born during a state-level conference in Mumbai, India, in early 2019, where it was recognized that previous discourse on maritime human rights was almost nonexistent.
The declaration, drafted with a comprehensive scope—for all individuals living, working, and traveling at sea—aims to align with existing national and international laws without creating new legal obligations for states. Its ultimate goal is to enhance human rights protections for approximately 30 million people active in maritime operations daily, supporting a soft law approach and fostering a common language on maritime human rights within a diverse international community.
Hammond underscored the ongoing relevance of the Geneva Declaration, noting that its progressive impact and influence among states have become evident over the past six years. He recognized the collaborative leadership from the Philippine government in promoting human rights for seafarers, reflecting broader civil society efforts in this domain.
The panel discussion featured various stakeholders, including representatives from the Marshall Islands, Indonesia, Norway, and Panama, along with the ILO, collectively reinforcing the urgency of addressing the human rights concerns that affect seafarers against the backdrop of global commerce, conflict, and changing maritime dynamics.
This event marks a significant step towards raising awareness about the necessity of safeguarding seafarers’ rights, reinforcing the commitment of the international community to ensure that these individuals, critical to global trade, are treated with dignity and protected under human rights conventions.
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