Namibian Authorities block vessel over Israel war-crime concerns
By DL News
Published
Updated
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The Justice Minister of Namibia, Yvonne Dausab, stated that the vessel, the MV Kathrin, was carrying explosive materials destined for Israel and had been stopped in accordance with Namibia’s stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Namibian authorities have prevented a ship suspected of carrying military cargo intended for Israel from docking in the country.
The Justice Minister of Namibia, Yvonne Dausab, stated that the vessel, the MV Kathrin, was carrying explosive materials destined for Israel and had been stopped in accordance with Namibia’s stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The ship, which had departed from Vietnam, sought permission to dock at Walvis Bay, Namibia’s largest commercial port.
However, its request was denied due to concerns over the nature of its cargo and Namibia’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people.
Human rights groups had cautioned that allowing the ship to dock could implicate Namibia in potential human rights violations.
Walvis Bay handles a significant volume of maritime traffic, receiving nearly 900 vessels annually. In this instance, Namibian authorities acted in line with the country’s foreign policy and legal obligations, ensuring that the MV Kathrin did not enter Namibian waters.
The Economic and Social Justice Trust (ESJT), a Namibian human rights organization, supported the government's decision, emphasizing the importance of respecting international law.
