Eight Filipino seafarers continue to be detained in Algeria after a court turned down all motions for bail and house arrest. They were arrested in July 2023 when 35.8 kilos of cocaine was confiscated from their vessel, the Maltese-flagged MV Harris, in Algiers.
After this discovery, the seafarers were taken into custody, leading to a complex legal war that has garnered the attention of the Philippine Government and the International Maritime agencies.
Captain Ioannis Gogos, who represents the Eastern Mediterranean Manning Agency, revealed that the Algerian court denied not only the bail of the seafarers but also their requests for house arrest, leaving them in a tumultuous legal and emotional situation.
The case will now go before a criminal court, and the trial is expected at the beginning of May. This has prompted calls for intervention by the Foreign Affairs Department of the Philippines and the Department of Migrant Workers. It brings to the forefront the complex play of international law, the welfare of migrant workers and diplomatic advocacy.
The case has attracted international attention and raised questions about seafarers’ rights, safety, and legal protection in foreign jurisdictions. It also underlines critical issues such as the rights of migrant workers, especially those in vulnerable positions or high-risk jobs.
This case is a reminder of the dangers faced by seafarers and the legal and diplomatic challenges that can arise while navigating international waters.
The coming days are crucial for the detained seafarers, their families and those advocating on their behalf. As the case unfolds, it will contribute to the discourse about seafarers’ rights and the intricacies of international maritime laws.
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Sean Hocking
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