Guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers detained in connection with alleged crimes

The present Guidelines are intended to be a reference tool for principles that can be reflected in the design and implementation of policies, strategies, programmes, legislation, administrative measures and social dialogue mechanisms on the fair treatment of seafarers detained on suspicion of committing crimes, and that can be adapted to different national systems and circumstances. Nothing set out in these Guidelines should be understood as lowering the protection afforded by existing ILO or IMO instruments. The present Guidelines are not legally binding. They are not subject to ratification or supervisory mechanisms established under the ILO Constitution.

The Guidelines are based on, and to be read in line with, the principles, rights and obligations set out in the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC, 2006). The most relevant provisions of the MLC, 2006, and other international instruments relating to the fair treatment of seafarers detained on suspicion of committing crimes are set out in the appendix to the present Guidelines.