What are we doing?

The UNODC counter piracy programme delivers in four key areas: law enforcement, prosecution, courts and prisons. By enhancing the judicial infrastructure in East Africa, we not only ensure that suspected and convicted pirates receive fair treatment, under the law, but we aim to leave behind a sustainable system that strengthens the Criminal Justice system in the region for all citizens.

Police

Once pirates are handed over to the police, proper evidence handling is crucial to ensure fair and effective trials. UNODC has issued handover guidance, agreed with the senior prosecution of regional states in order to ensure that evidence packages provided by navies meet the requirements of regional legal systems. In addition we have also supplied police stations with reconditioned vehicles and investigative equipment.

UNODC has ensured that weapons collected from the pirates have been transferred safely to Nairobi for ballistic examination.

Currently, we are refitting an evidence room to allow for the secure storage of weapons and developing training packages for piracy investigations.

handcuffs

Prosecutors

Trying people for crimes in the high seas in a foreign jurisdiction is a complex matter for any country. To help facilitate this process, UNODC has assisted prosecutors by organizing and conducting two workshops as well as arranging trave.

We have also helped prosecutors develop their legal resources, purchased office equipment, provided vehicles and fuel and facilitated attendance at international piracy conferences.

UNODC is in the process of providing additional office space and equipping it.

Courts

Piracy cases are prosecuted under national criminal laws and the programme supports the Judiciary through training and improved courtroom facilities.

UNODC has facilitated the attendance of witnesses from overseas and provided interpreters to trial. We are also working with the Kenyan and Seychelles courts to provide a transcription service.

We have introduced computers into the courtrooms along with evidence-viewing facilities and are working to improve courtroom security. In December we are running a second judicial training event.

Costa August 09

UNODC is renovating the Shimo-la-Tewa courtroom to ensure it is suitable for the trial of serious cases including piracy.

Prisons

The Regional prison system in East Africa is overcrowded. We have partnered with the Government of Kenya to improve existing facilities for all prisoners. Since May 2009, UNODC has supplied mattresses and blankets for all prisoners in Shimo-la-Tewa, cleaned and repainted, doubled the sewage capacity and water supply, developed a welfare service to provide prisoners with basic necessities, provided educational and sports equipment for inmates, and improved medical care for all prisoners and supplied office equipment to the prison.

Projects are under way to rebuild a prison kitchen, equipping prison medical facilities and training medical staff. Four vehicles are being refurbished.

In the upcoming months UNODC will deliver these types of improvements to four more prisons in Kenya and one in the Seychelles.