INTERNATIONAL Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has clarified that while the UN agency lacks the authority to override national laws, it remains steadfast in its mission to protect seafarers from unjust legal prosecution.
During a press conference on the first day of the Regional Forum on the Effective Implementation of the STCW Convention and its Code at Okada Manila on Feb. 17, 2026, Dominguez noted that regulating the judicial systems of individual countries falls outside the specific mandate of the IMO.
Despite these jurisdictional boundaries, the IMO has intensified its efforts to safeguard crew members suspected of offenses ranging from maritime accidents to drug trafficking and oil smuggling. Dominguez highlighted the recent adoption of the Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers Detained in Connection with Alleged Crimes, a joint initiative with the International Labour Organization (ILO).
These guidelines emphasize that seafarers should not be detained solely based on their professional rank and must be guaranteed due process, including access to legal counsel and consular services.
The necessity of such protections is underscored by harrowing cases like that of the MV Harris. In 2023, eight Filipino crew members were arrested in Algeria after authorities discovered cocaine on board.
Despite their employer’s insistence on their innocence, the seafarers were initially held incommunicado and eventually sentenced to 20 years in prison. Following an appeal, five were acquitted and returned home, but three others continue to serve a reduced sentence of 15 years. These incidents served as a catalyst for the IMO to formalize guidance that ensures dignity and rights protection for all maritime workers regardless of their location.
“This guidance is intended to make sure that due process and the judicial aspects of the criminalization of seafarers are actually followed,” Dominguez stated, adding that the agency is working closely with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the ILO to resolve longstanding cases. Beyond formal protocols, the secretary-general revealed that he engages in direct diplomacy with relevant state entities to challenge rulings and advocate for the respect of seafarer rights. Through these combined efforts of policy and high-level dialogue, the IMO continues to demand that member states adhere to international standards of fairness and humanity at sea.
