UN Council suggests special Somali piracy courts

By Patrick Worsnip

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council suggested on Tuesday creating special piracy courts to plug a gap in the world response to the costly attacks on merchant ships off the lawless Somali coast.

A Russian-drafted resolution passed unanimously by the 15-nation council asked U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to report back within three months on ways of prosecuting pirates, some of whom currently go free even if they are captured.

The resolution, a rare Russian initiative on the council, expressed concern over such cases, calling them a failure that "undermines anti-piracy efforts of the international community."

The hijacking of ships near the coast of Somalia, where an Islamist insurgency and general lawlessness have created a safe haven for pirates, has cost the shipping industry tens of millions of dollars in ransoms for vessels and their crews.

As of last week, around 20 ships including everything from small fishing vessels to large tankers were being held.

Prosecution of captured pirates has been hampered by disagreements over which country should try them. Somalia itself lacks the legal infrastructure to support trials.

Options suggested by Tuesday's resolution included creating special domestic chambers, possibly with international components, a regional tribunal or an international court.

INTERNATIONAL COURTS