12 Conclusions
101. Piracy is a loathsome activity. In the past
decade instances of piracy have spiralled by 168 per cent bringing
misery, severe injury, and death to many people including innocent
British sea farers. But despite a horrific level of violence which,
if seen in any other means of transport would cause a storm of
public protest, the subject receives only sporadic press attention.
It is no wonder then that many consider the maritime industry
to be 'invisible'.
102. The techniques used by pirates have the capacity
to be used in acts of maritime terrorism. There is evidence that
this may already have happened. This should be a development which
is of profound general public concern.
103. The Government needs to be at the forefront
of the fight to destroy piracy. But it is being insufficiently
active. This must change. There is a good deal of international
'activity' -defined as inter-governmental dialogue- about the
problem of piracy. A plethora of correct-sounding codes and checklists
to define better security have been drawn up. But our evidence
has brought into question how well these codes and checklists
are being implemented. Unless there is the will to apply them
these will prove useless in the drive to obliterate piracy.
104. What the Government must demonstrate is practical
action that international cooperation is succeeding in making
piracy a thing of the past. That is woefully lacking. So far from
destroying piracy, it is growing; and the Government does not
even know the scale of the problem. That is failure by any measure.
The Government needs to demonstrate a new level of commitment
in tackling piracy. We expect to see this reflected in its response
to this report.
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