Somali pirates are expanding their attacks and costing the world more than $7 billion (R49 billion) a year, according to a UN study released on Monday that calls for stepped up security and the creation of a piracy court.
The report, by former French minister Jack Lang, suggests establishing a court under Somali jurisdiction but based in a foreign country in order to adress the phenomenon, which has grown in recent years.
It said the international naval force in the Indian Ocean should patrol closer to the pirates' coastal hideouts and that economic incentives should be offered to Somali youth to dissuade them from joining the buccaneers.
Somali pirates have captured nearly 2 000 people and been paid ransoms of up to $9.5 million (R67 million) for seized tankers since 2008. As of December 31, 612 people and 26 ships were still being held, according to UN figures.
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