CALL TO AZERBAIJANI SEAFARERS
Dear colleagues, honorable Azerbaijani seafarers!
The sea is the profession that unites us. But today, there is a greater value that unites us – our lives and our safety.
When we, seafarers, chose our profession, we accepted the harshness of the sea, long separations, and difficult working conditions. However, none of us chose this profession to become targets of armed conflicts.
Recently, the number of drone (UAV), missile, and other armed attacks against civilian merchant vessels in various regions of the world has been rapidly increasing. Unfortunately, the victims of these attacks are not military personnel, but innocent seafarers working with the desire to return safely to their families.
- We are civilian seafarers.
- We are not parties to armed conflicts.
- We ensure the uninterrupted transportation of global trade, food, energy, medical supplies, and humanitarian cargoes.
Despite this, thousands of seafarers risk their lives every day while fulfilling their professional duties. Attacks carried out against civilian merchant vessels are a gross violation of international maritime law, international humanitarian law, and fundamental human rights.
As the “Support for Azerbaijani Seafarers” Public Union, we appeal to all Azerbaijani seafarers.
Today, our solidarity is more important than ever.
It is the moral responsibility of each of us to make our voices heard together by the international community.
To this end, we ask you to complete the prepared appeal template with your information and send it to the international organizations listed below.
For this, it is enough to spare just a few minutes of your time:
- Copy the appeal text below.
- Add your first name, last name, rank/position, and the name of the vessel you serve on.
- Send the letter to the indicated email addresses.
The appeal should be sent to the following addresses:
- International Maritime Organization (IMO): msc@imo.org, info@imo.org
- United Nations – Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): ohchr-petitions@un.org
- International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF): seafarers@itf.org.uk
Email Subject: URGENT: Appeal for the Protection of Merchant Vessels and Civilian Seafarers
APPEAL TEMPLATE
(Copy the text below, add only your own information, and send it)
To: International Maritime Organization (IMO) – Maritime Safety Committee Cc: United Nations (UN) – Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Cc: International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Subject: URGENT: Appeal for the Protection of Merchant Vessels and Civilian Seafarers
Dear Representatives of the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations and the International Transport Workers’ Federation,
I, [FULL NAME], serving as [RANK / POSITION] on board [VESSEL NAME], respectfully express my deep concern regarding the increasing drone, missile and other armed attacks against civilian merchant vessels and innocent seafarers.
As civilian seafarers, we are not parties to armed conflicts. Every day we ensure the uninterrupted transportation of food, energy, medical supplies and humanitarian cargoes that are essential for millions of people around the world. Our profession is civilian in nature and plays a vital role in maintaining global trade and supply chains.
However, the growing number of attacks against merchant vessels has created an unacceptable level of risk for innocent seafarers. These attacks threaten lives, disrupt international trade and undermine the principles of international maritime law, international humanitarian law and fundamental human rights.
I respectfully call upon the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations (UN), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and all relevant international institutions to:
- Publicly condemn all attacks against civilian merchant vessels and seafarers;
- Strengthen international protection measures in high-risk maritime areas;
- Develop additional international safety protocols for civilian merchant vessels and their crews;
- Ensure that those responsible for attacks against civilian merchant vessels are held accountable in accordance with international law.
Seafarers are not combatants. We are professionals dedicated to serving global trade and humanity. Every seafarer deserves the right to work in safety and return home to their family.
I sincerely urge the international community to take immediate and effective action to strengthen the protection of merchant vessels and civilian seafarers worldwide.
Respectfully,
Full Name:
Rank / Position:
Vessel Name:
Company:
Nationality:
E-mail: Signature: Date:
Dear colleagues,
Every individual appeal is an important voice that conveys our shared concern regarding the safety of seafarers to international organizations. A letter you send today can contribute to the steps that will be taken tomorrow to strengthen the protection of civilian seafarers.
This is not just the call of one organization, but the call of every Azerbaijani seafarer. Because we are people of the same sea.
Let us be united. Let us make our voices heard together.
Seafarers are not participants in war. Seafarers have the right to work safely.
Respectfully,
Ilham Rafiq oglu Nasirov
Chairman of the “Support for Azerbaijani Seafarers” Public Union
Tel.: +994 55 226 48 99
E-mail: info@adib.az Website: www.adib.az
