ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The Antigua and Barbuda authorities Thursday stated they’d develop into conscious of allegations that one of many nation’s flagged vessels has been “carrying arms, ammunition or provides destined for supply to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) or personal Israeli protection contractors.
In an announcement, the Antigua and Barbuda Division of Marine Providers and Service provider Transport (ADOMS) named the vessel the “HC Opal (IMO 9377846).
“ADOMS wish to reiterate the coverage of the Authorities of Antigua and Barbuda on this respect. In step with the State’s basic obligations underneath worldwide legislation and in line with United Nations Normal Meeting Decision A/RES/Es-10/24 and United Nations Human Rights Council Decision A/HRC/RES/55/28, the Authorities of Antigua & Barbuda and Antigua & Barbuda entities, shall not facilitate the sale, switch, and diversion of arms, munitions, and different army gear to Israel,” it stated within the assertion.
In line with a doc circulating on social media by the BDS Freedom Justice Equality group, the HC Opal is within the Mediterranean, en path to the port of Larnaca, Cyprus.
It stated that the vessel, crusing underneath the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, is believed to be carrying not less than 23 containers of army provides, together with explosives and rocket components and fuses, destined to be used by Israel in its ongoing genocide in opposition to 2.3 million Palestinians within the illegally occupied Gaza Strip.
“The legislation leaves little doubt: Flagging a vessel that engages within the unlawful switch of army provides to Israel because it participates in what the Worldwide Court docket of Justice has outlined as believable genocide, apartheid, and illicit occupation constitutes complicity in these crimes.
“As prime specialists of the Regulation of the Sea affirm, if Antigua and Barbuda isn’t taking motion to say their jurisdiction over the HC Opal, it de facto severs the “real hyperlink” between the flag state and the vessels it flags, which in line with the UN Conference of the Regulation of the Sea is the core component that permits Antigua and Barbuda to attribute their flag to the vessel,” the doc states.
The BDS said that it’s calling on all states concerned, significantly Antigua and Barbuda because the flag state, to take motion now.
It stated that the Caribbean island ought to “search cooperation with coastal states to make sure the cargo in query is being stopped earlier than it reaches its finish vacation spot.
“If states fail to implement these measures whereas the live-streamed genocide of rolling massacres and induced hunger inflicted by apartheid Israel on tens of millions of Palestinians within the illegally occupied Gaza Strip has reached unimaginable horror, they need to be held accountable for violating worldwide legislation.”
In its assertion, the ADOMS stated that the coverage of the Antigua and Barbuda authorities regarding flagged ships is specified by its Info Discover 2025-001, which outlines the place of the federal government “on the carriage of arms and ammunition on board Antigua & Barbuda-flagged vessels, destined to be used in battle zones.”
In line with the Discover, “it’s strictly prohibited for any vessel registered underneath the Antigua & Barbuda flag to hold arms, ammunition, or different army gear meant for supply to, or use in, a battle zone.
“This prohibition applies whatever the nature of the voyage or contractual obligations and is according to the ideas of the Authorities of Antigua & Barbuda.”
It additionally states that “any Antigua & Barbuda flagged vessel discovered to be in breach of this prohibition is liable to be de-registered underneath the authority granted by the Service provider Transport Act 2006. Further authorized motion may be taken, relying on the circumstances of the violation.
“Any Antigua & Barbuda flagged vessel discovered to be in breach of this prohibition is liable to be detained on the request of the Administration in a overseas port for removing of prohibited cargo, on the proprietor’s expense,” the Discover added.
It stated that this coverage is in place to “make sure that Antigua & Barbuda-flagged ships usually are not utilized in a fashion that would contribute to the escalation of armed battle, violate worldwide sanctions or arms embargoes, or compromise the neutrality and international standing of the Authorities of Antigua & Barbuda.
“Participation within the transport of army cargo to energetic battle zones poses vital dangers to the security of the crew, the vessel, and maritime safety at massive. Furthermore, it may end up in extreme reputational harm to the flag State, ship proprietor, and crew,’ the Discover added.
