UN reaches out to Kenya on piracy trials

The United Nations has not given up on Kenya trying suspected Somali pirates, a senior officer said on Monday.

Special advisor on piracy to the UN Secretary General Jack Lang said they were assessing modalities for resuming the trials.

“We have to share our common efforts; it will be a mistake to abandon the trials,” he said.

The UN was discussing the problem with Kenyan authorities, Mr Lang said.

“We have to make financial commitments to the country; piracy is a great danger for all countries,” he said.

The government recently terminated agreements on prosecuting suspected Somali pirates, citing lack of international support.

The UN advisor visited suspected pirates at the Shimo la Tewa prison and urged the international community to support the trials.

Mr Lang praised Kenya for its role in prosecuting and curtailing the vice, saying it had set a good example.

“What Kenya is doing is an example to the world. We should continue to give support,” he said.

The suspects asked for faster trials and provision of basic supplies like clothes.

Dozens of suspects are awaiting trial, while 43 pirates have been sentenced to various terms in prison by the court in Mombasa.