Security Council resolution 2500 (2019) [on piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia]
Symbol: S/RES/2500 (2019)
Date: 2019-12-04
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/74 [84] SOMALIA SITUATION
S/ X The situation in Somalia.
Subjects: IMO|INTERPOL|UN Office on Drugs and Crime|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|MARITIME SECURITY|HIJACKING OF SHIPS|PIRACY|SOMALIA|SOMALIA SITUATION|ARMS EMBARGO|CRIME PREVENTION|INTER-AGENCY COOPERATION
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: BELGIUM
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: CÔTE D'IVOIRE
vote: yes
country: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
vote: yes
country: EQUATORIAL GUINEA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GERMANY
vote: yes
country: INDONESIA
vote: yes
country: KUWAIT
vote: yes
country: PERU
vote: yes
country: POLAND
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SOUTH AFRICA
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                      S/RES/2500 (2019)
               Security Council                                                    Distr.: General
                                                                                   4 December 2019




               Resolution 2500 (2019)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 8678th meeting, on
               4 December 2019

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling its previous resolutions concerning the situation in Somalia,
               especially resolutions 1814 (2008), 1816 (2008), 1838 (2008), 1844 (2008), 1846
               (2008), 1851 (2008), 1897 (2009), 1918 (2010), 1950 (2010), 1976 (2011), 2015
               (2011), 2020 (2011), 2077 (2012), 2125 (2013), 2184 (2014), 2246 (2015), 2316
               (2016), 2383 (2017) and 2442 (2018) as well as the Statements of its President
               (S/PRST/2010/16) of 25 August 2010 and (S/PRST/2012/24) of 19 November 2012,
                     Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General (S/2019/867), as requested by
               resolution 2442 (2018), on the implementation of that resolution and on the situation
               with respect to piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia,
                    Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political
               independence, and unity of Somalia, including Somalia’s sovereign rights in
               accordance with international law, with respect to offshore natural resources,
               including fisheries,
                      Noting that joint counter-piracy efforts have resulted in a steady decline in pirate
               attacks as well as in hijackings since 2011, with no successful ship hijackings for
               ransom reported off the coast of Somalia since March 2017 however, recognizing the
               ongoing threat that resurgent piracy and armed robbery at sea poses, noting the letter
               of 22 November 2019 from the Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission
               of Somalia to the United Nations requesting international assistance to counter piracy
               off its coast, and recalling reports of the Secretary General and communiqués of the
               Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS), which continue to
               illustrate that piracy off the coast of Somalia has been repressed but not eradicated,
               and commending countries and organizations that have deployed naval counter-piracy
               missions in the region to suppress piracy and protect ships transiting through the
               waters off the coast of Somalia and the region,
                     Reaffirming that international law, as reflected in the United Natio ns
               Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 (“The Convention”), sets out
               the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried
               out, including countering piracy and armed robbery at sea,
                     Recognizing the need and commending the efforts of States, including in
               particular States in the region, to investigate and prosecute not only suspects captured




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               at sea, but also anyone who incites or intentionally facilitates piracy operations,
               including key figures of criminal networks involved in piracy including those who
               plan, organize, facilitate or illicitly finance or profit from such attacks, and reiterating
               its concern over persons suspected of piracy having been released without facing
               justice, or released prematurely, reaffirming that the failure to prosecute persons
               responsible for acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia
               undermines anti-piracy efforts,
                     Welcoming the work of the CGPCS and the Law Enforcement Task Force
               (LETF) to facilitate the prosecution of suspected pirates and facilitators, and
               international efforts to coordinate the work of investigators and prosecutors, inter alia,
               through the LETF and collect and share information to disrupt the pirate enterprise,
               as exemplified by INTERPOL’s Global Database on Maritime Piracy, further
               commending the Padang Communique and Maritime Cooperation Declaration
               adopted by the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and the operationalization of
               the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Center (RMIFC) in Madagascar and
               emphasizing the need for States and international organizations to further enhance
               international efforts in this regard,
                     Welcoming efforts by the CGPCS, the United Nations Office on Drugs and
               Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the
               Maritime Security Coordination Committee (MSCC), the financing mechanism
               provided by the Trust Fund to Support Initiatives of States Combating Piracy off the
               Coast of Somalia (the Trust Fund), and donors to strengthen regional judici al and law
               enforcement capacity to investigate, arrest, and prosecute suspected pirates as well as
               those associated with facilitating piracy and to incarcerate those convicted consistent
               with applicable international human rights law, noting with appreciation the
               assistance and capacity-building provided by UNODC Global Maritime Crime
               Programme, the Trust Fund, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the
               funded Djibouti Code of Conduct, and the European Union Capacity Building
               Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia), and recognizing the need for all engaged
               international and regional organizations to coordinate and cooperate fully,
                     Commending the efforts of the European Union Naval Forces (EUNAVFOR)
               Operation ATALANTA and EUCAP Somalia, Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined
               Task Force 151 (CMF), the counter piracy activities of the African Union onshore in
               Somalia and other States acting in a national capacity in cooperation with Somali
               authorities to suppress piracy and to protect ships transiting through th e waters off
               the coast of Somalia, and welcoming the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction
               Initiative (SHADE), and the efforts of individual countries, including China, India,
               Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation, which have deployed naval
               counter-piracy missions in the region,
                     Commending the 31 States and some 26 Non-State organizations that met at the
               22nd Plenary Session of the CGPCS in June 2019 and agreed to a revised orientation
               and strategic review of the CGPCS, praised the increasing involvement of the States
               of the region with the establishment of an architecture that includes agreements to
               establish dedicated regional centres in Madagascar and Seychelles, called upon
               deployers to maintain their presence off the coast of Somalia, c ommended a
               reinforced role of the Virtual Legal Forum, of the LETF and the MSCC, called for
               increased participation of the shipping industry, and endorsed the offer of the
               Republic of Kenya to take over the Chair of the CGPCS in 2020,
                    Underlining the importance of cooperation between the Federal Government of
               Somalia and the Federal Member States in the development of a coast guard in
               Somalia, noting with appreciation the efforts made by the IMO and the shipping
               industry to develop and update guidance, best management practices, and


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           recommendations to assist ships to prevent and suppress piracy attacks off the coast
           of Somalia, and welcoming the approval of the fifth version of the Best Management
           Practices to deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden,
           Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea (BMP5) by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee,
                Reaffirming international condemnation of acts of kidnapping and hostagetaking, including offences contained within the International Convention against the
           Taking of Hostages, and expressing serious concern at the inhumane conditions
           hostages face in captivity, calling for the immediate release of all remaining hostages,
           and noting the importance of cooperation between Member States on the issue of
           hostage-taking and the prosecution of suspected pirates for taking hostages,
                 Welcoming the readiness of the Federal Government of Somalia and Feder al
           Member States to cooperate with each other and with States who have prosecuted
           suspected pirates with a view to enabling convicted pirates to be repatriated back to
           Somalia under suitable prisoner transfer arrangements, consistent with applicable
           international law, including international human rights law, to serve the full terms of
           their sentences, but expresses serious concern regarding the premature release by
           “Somaliland” of 19 convicted prisoners returned from Seychelles to Somalia and
           reiterates that sentences served must be those passed by the courts of the prosecuting
           states and that any proposal to vary the sentences must be in conformity with the 2011
           Transfer Agreement with the Seychelles, consistent with applicable international law,
           including international human rights law,
                 Expressing serious concern over reports of illegal, unreported and unregulated
           fishing (IUU) in Somalia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), recognizing that IUU
           fishing can contribute to destabilization among coastal communi ties, and noting the
           complex relationship between IUU fishing and piracy, welcoming Somalia’s
           accession to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) ’s Agreement on Port State
           Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated
           Fishing, and the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government of Somalia towards the
           development of a legal regime for the distribution and enforcement of fishing licences
                 Remaining concerned that three Iranian seafarers from the FV Siraj remain as
           hostages inside Somalia in appalling conditions, and welcoming the work of
           International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), the Maritime
           Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP), and the CGPCS Piracy
           Survivors Family Fund (PSFF) in providing support to victims of piracy and their
           families, and recognizing the need to continue supporting these initiatives and
           contributions to funds,
                 Emphasizing that peace and stability within Somalia, the strengthening of State
           institutions, economic and social development, and respect for human rights and the
           rule of law are necessary to create the conditions for a durable eradication of piracy
           and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, and further emphasizing that
           Somalia’s long-term security rests with the effective development by Somali
           authorities of the Somali Coast Guard and Maritime Police Units, Somali National
           Army, and Somali Police Force,
                 Determining that the incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast
           of Somalia, as well as the activity of pirate groups in Somalia, are an important factor
           exacerbating the situation in Somalia, which continues to constitute a threat to
           international peace and security in the region,
                Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
                1.    Reiterates that it condemns and deplores all acts of piracy and armed
           robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia;


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                     2.     While noting improvements in Somalia, recognizes that piracy exacerbates
               instability in Somalia by introducing large amounts of illicit cas h that fuels additional
               crime, corruption, and terrorism;
                     3.   Stresses the need for a comprehensive response to prevent and suppress
               piracy and tackle its underlying causes by the international community in
               collaboration with Somali authorities and other r elevant actors, and encourages
               Member States to continue to cooperate with Somali authorities in the fight against
               piracy and armed robbery at sea, without impeding the exercise of high seas freedoms
               or other navigational rights and freedoms by ships of an y State, consistent with
               international law, as reflected in UNCLOS;
                    4.     Underlines the primary responsibility of the Somali authorities in the fight
               against piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, welcomes the recent
               launch of the Department of Somali Maritime Administration, and encourages the
               FGS to hold a National Maritime Coordination Committee (NMCC) meeting;
                     5.    Recognizes the need to continue investigating and prosecuting those who
               plan, organize, or illicitly finance or profit fro m pirate attacks off the coast of
               Somalia, including key figures of criminal networks involved in piracy, and to
               develop the capacity of Somali authorities to investigate and prosecute such persons,
               and the capacity of Somalia’s Financial Intelligence Unit to identify illicit financial
               activity and support the prosecution of pirate financiers, and urges States, working in
               conjunction with relevant international organizations, to adopt legislation to facilitate
               prosecution of suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia;
                    6.    Calls upon the Somali authorities to interdict, and upon interdiction to
               have mechanisms in place to safely return effects seized by pirates, investigate and
               prosecute pirates and to patrol the waters off the coast of Somalia to prevent and
               suppress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea;
                     7.   Calls upon the Somali authorities to make all efforts to bring to justice
               those who are using Somali territory to plan, facilitate, or undertake criminal acts of
               piracy and armed robbery at sea, and calls upon Member States to assist Somalia, at
               the request of Somali authorities and with notification to the Secretary -General, to
               strengthen maritime capacity in Somalia, including regional authorities and, stresses
               that any measures undertaken pursuant to this paragraph shall be consistent with
               applicable international law, in particular international human rights law;
                    8.     Encourages the Federal Government of Somalia to accede to the United
               Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and deve lop a
               corresponding legal architecture as part of its efforts to target money laundering and
               financial support structures on which piracy networks survive;
                     9.   Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all seafarers held
               hostage by Somali pirates, and further calls upon the Somali authorities and all
               relevant stakeholders to redouble their efforts to secure their safe and immediate
               release;
                    10. Calls upon States to cooperate also, as appropriate, on the issue of hostage
               taking, and the prosecution of suspected pirates for taking hostages;
                     11. Recognizes the need for States, international and regional organizations,
               and other appropriate partners to exchange evidence and information for anti -piracy
               law enforcement purposes with a view to ensuring effective arrest, prosecution of
               suspected, and imprisonment of convicted pirates and key figures of criminal
               networks involved in piracy who plan, organize, facilitate, or illicitly finance and
               profit from piracy operations, and keeps under review the po ssibility of applying
               targeted sanctions against individuals or entities that plan, organize, facilitate, or


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           illicitly finance or profit from piracy operations if they meet the listing criteria set out
           in paragraph 43 of resolution 2093 (2013), and calls upon all States to cooperate fully
           with the Panel of Experts on Somalia, including on information-sharing regarding
           possible violations of the arms embargo or charcoal ban;
                 12. Renews its call upon States and regional organizations that are able to do
           so to take part in the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of
           Somalia, in particular, consistent with this resolution and international law, by
           deploying naval vessels, arms, and military aircraft, by providing basing and
           logistical support for counter-piracy forces, and by seizing and disposing of boats,
           vessels, arms, and other related equipment used in the commission of piracy and
           armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, or for which there are reasonable
           grounds for suspecting such use;
                 13. Highlights the importance of coordination among States and international
           organizations in order to deter acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast
           of Somalia, commends the work of the CGPCS to facilitate such coordination in
           cooperation with the IMO, flag States, and Somali authorities, encourages the full
           participation of Somalia in all coordination efforts and urges continued support of
           these efforts;
                 14. Decides that, for a further period of 12 months from the date of this
           resolution to renew the authorizations as set out in paragraph 14 of resolution 2442
           (2018) granted to States and regional organizations cooperating with Somali
           authorities in the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of
           Somalia, for which advance notification has been provided by Somali authorities to
           the Secretary-General;
                15. Affirms that the authorizations renewed in this resolution apply only with
           respect to the situation in Somalia and shall not affect the rights, obligations, or
           responsibilities of Member States under international law, including any rights or
           obligations under The Convention, with respect to any other situation, and
           underscores in particular that this resolution shall not be considered as establishing
           customary international law; and affirms further that such authorizations have been
           renewed in response to the 22 November 2019 letter conveying the request of Somali
           authorities;
                 16. Decides that the arms embargo on Somalia imposed by paragraph 5 of
           resolution 733 (1992) and further elaborated upon by paragraphs 1 and 2 of resolution
           1425 (2002) and modified by paragraphs 33 to 38 of resolution 2093 does not apply
           to supplies of weapons and military equipment or the provision of assistance destined
           for the sole use of Member States, international, regional, and sub -regional
           organizations undertaking measures in accordance with paragraph 14 above, as most
           recently reaffirmed by OP 19(b) of resolution 2498 (2019);
                 17. Calls upon all States to take appropriate actions under their existing
           domestic law, or develop legislative processes, to prevent the illicit financing of acts
           of piracy and the laundering of its proceeds;
                 18. Calls upon all States, and in particular flag, port, and coastal States, States
           of the nationality of victims and perpetrators of piracy and armed robbery, and other
           States with relevant jurisdiction under international law and national legislation, to
           cooperate in determining jurisdiction, to criminalize piracy under their domestic law,
           and to favourably consider the prosecution of suspected, and imprisonment of those
           convicted, pirates apprehended off the coast of Somalia, and their facilitators and
           financiers ashore, decides to keep these matters under review, including, as
           appropriate, the establishment of specialized anti-piracy courts in Somalia with



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               substantial international participation and/or support as set forth in resolution 2015
               (2011), and encourages the CGPCS to continue its discussions in this regard;
                     19. Further calls upon all States to cooperate in the investigation and
               prosecution of all persons responsible for or associated with acts of pira cy and armed
               robbery off the coast of Somalia, including international criminal networks involved
               in piracy who plan, organize, facilitate, or illicitly finance or profit from such attack,
               consistent with applicable international law including internationa l human rights law;
               to ensure that all pirates handed over to judicial authorities are subject to a judicial
               process, and to render assistance by, among other actions, providing disposition and
               logistics assistance with respect to persons under their juris diction and control, such
               as victims, witnesses, and persons detained as a result of operations conducted under
               this resolution;
                    20. Urges all States to ensure that counter-piracy activities, particularly landbased activities, take into consideration the need to protect women and children from
               exploitation, including sexual exploitation;
                    21. Urges all States to share information with INTERPOL for use in the global
               piracy database, through appropriate channels;
                    22. Welcomes the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme’s continued
               work with authorities in Somalia and in neighbouring States to ensure that individuals
               suspected of piracy are prosecuted and those convicted are imprisoned in a manner
               consistent with applicable international law, including interna tional human rights law,
               and welcomes the work of international and regional organizations to strengthen the
               capacity of financial intelligence units in Somalia and neighbouring states;
                    23. Recognizes the successful prosecution of piracy cases by Seychelles and
               implores regional authorities to honour transfer agreements;
                    24. Urges States parties to The Convention and the 1988 Convention for the
               Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA
               Convention) and its protocols to implement fully their relevant obligations under
               these conventions and customary international law and to cooperate with the
               UNODC, IMO, and other States and international organizations to build judicial
               capacity for the successful prosecution of persons suspected of piracy and armed
               robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia;
                     25. Acknowledges the recommendations and guidance provided by the IMO
               on preventing and suppressing piracy and armed robbery at sea; and urges States, in
               collaboration with the shipping and insurance industries and the IMO, to continue to
               develop and implement avoidance, evasion, and defensive best practices and
               advisories to take when under attack or when sailing in the waters off the coast of
               Somalia, and further urges States to make their citizens and vessels available for
               forensic investigation as appropriate at the first suitable port of call immediately
               following an act or attempted act of piracy or armed robbery at sea or release from
               captivity;
                    26. Welcomes and encourages efforts by flag States and port States to further
               consider the development of safety and security measures on board vessels, including,
               where applicable, developing regulations for the use of privately contracted armed
               security personnel (PCASP) on board ships, aimed at preventing and suppressing
               piracy off the coast of Somalia, through a consultative process, including through the
               IMO and ISO;
                     27. Invites the IMO to continue its contributions to the prevention and
               suppression of acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships, in coordination, in
               particular, with the UNODC, the World Food Program (WFP), the shipping industry,


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           and all other parties concerned, and recognizes the IMO ’s role concerning privately
           contracted armed security personnel on board ships in high-risk areas;
                 28. Notes the importance of securing the safe delivery of WFP assistance by
           sea, and welcomes the ongoing work by the WFP, EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta,
           and flag States with regard to Vessel Protection Detachments on WFP vessels;
                 29. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council within
           eleven months of the adoption of this resolution on the implementation of this
           resolution and on the situation with respect to piracy and armed robbery at sea off the
           coast of Somalia, including voluntary reports by cooperating States and regional
           organizations;
                30. Expresses its intention to review the situation and consider, as appropriate,
           renewing the authorizations provided in paragraph 14 above for additional periods
           upon the request of Somali authority;
                31.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.




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