Topic: International Cooperation in Combatting Piracy
Country: Yemen
Delegate Name: Ben Sagritalo
School: East Grand Rapids High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Yemen position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Defined by the International Maritime Bureau as “the act of boarding any vessel with intent to commit theft or any other crime, and with an intent or capacity to use force in furtherance of that act,” piracy is a major problem around the world. Piracy is a global issue, especially in hotspots such as the Gulf of Aden, South East Asia, and the Gulf of Guinea.
The Republic of Yemen is at the forefront of international piracy. Yemen is located near the Gulf of Aden, one of the largest hotspots for piracy. Pirates from nearby Somalia have threatened Yemeni ships. On March 8, 2005, two sailing yachts, Mandhi and Gandalf were attacked by Somali pirates. This attack would start an alarming trend of piracy near Yemen that still continues to this day. Piracy has only gotten worse in the Gulf of Aden, with 57 pirate hijackings and 225 attempted hijackings in 2010 alone. Because of civil war in Yemen, it is possible that cities such as Aden, Yemen could become new havens for Pirates, due to the power struggle between the Hadi Government and Houthi Rebels for control of the city. This potential issue makes it even more urgent for a swift response to international piracy.
The Republic of Yemen has already taken many steps to stopping piracy. Yemen is involved in multiple international coalitions to combat piracy such as the Combined Task Force 150, the Combined Task Force 151, and Operation Atalanta. The Yemeni military have also been one of the most prominent groups to hamper piracy.
The Republic of Yemen supports an international coalition to help eliminate the threat of Piracy. It is important for all nations to contribute to solve this global issue. Piracy is a crime, and it disportationally affects countries near piracy hotspots such as Yemen. The Republic of Yemen believes it is important to go the root of the issue to solve it. Due to the lack of a government in Somalia and poor economic conditions in other countries, people have turned to piracy as a way to make a living. The Republic of Yemen believes international aid and peacekeeping operations in countries such as Somalia that produce the bulk of the world's pirates can help end piracy at the source.
Works Cited
"Attacked by Pirates." Cruising World. Web. 6 Nov. 2015.
"Could Yemen Become the next Base for Pirates?" Alaraby. Web. 6 Nov. 2015.
"In Anti-Piracy Fight, Yemen May Be Part Of Problem." NPR. NPR. Web. 6 Nov. 2015.
"Piracy: Declining in the Gulf of Aden, Rising in the Gulf of Guinea." Communis Hostis Omnium. 16 Feb. 2013. Web. 6 Nov. 2015.
