The Security Council unanimously approved a resolution on Monday, 11 April 2011 seeking to establish a new system of courts and prisons aimed at combating piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Despite international efforts, the piracy problem has worsened in recent years while their areas of activities are expanding and the level of violence used by the pirates is increasing.

"For Russia it is important that special emphasis in the resolution has been put in combating impunity of pirates, instructs the Secretary-General to report to the Council on practical aspects for establishing national anti-piracy courts in Somalia and the specialised Somali anti-piracy court with an international component on the territory of the third state, is a first practical step in the direction of creating an effective judicial mechanism, one capable of a credible, reliable solution to the problem of bringing pirates to justice."

 - Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

The resolution also includes measures aimed at combating pirates activities on land and calls for the protection of Somali natural resources and waters, and on alleged fishing and illegal dumping, including of toxic substances, off the coast of Somalia.

Courtesy: United Nations & UNTV