Lords EU Committee want Atalanta extension

The report reviews the success of the operation since the original report in April 2010. The follow up inquiry showed a reduced number of ships were pirated in June 2012, with only eight vessels and 215 hostages, compared to 23 vessels and 501 hostages in June 2011.

Lord Teverson, chairman, Lords EU Committee for External Affairs, said: “If the situation is to continue to improve it is important the pirates know the international commitment to stop their activities is real and ongoing. To ensure this, Operation Atalanta should now have its remit extended beyond 2014.”

The report also shows the increase in trials and imprisonment of pirates and praises the role played by the national navies of Russia, China and India. But, despite the success of the operation so far, the Committee has expressed concerns about the policy of transferring sentenced pirates back to Somalia due to possible breakouts and lack of rehabilitation and punishments.

One of the main challenges facing the Committee is how to eradicate piracy altogether. The Lords have highlighted the need to provide incentives and alternative livelihoods for the Somali people to reduce the temptation to engage in piracy.