36. Based on its long experience of investigating all aspects of Somali piracy, the Monitoring Group believes that, pending international consensus on the question of criminalizing ransom payments, the UN Security Council and the U.S. Government (OFAC) should both clarify that the payment of ransom to Somali pirates, in return for the release of human victims, is a form of extortion and would not be considered a sanctionable offence.
36. Based on its long experience of investigating all aspects of Somali piracy, the Monitoring Group believes that, pending international consensus on the question of criminalizing ransom payments, the UN Security Council and the U.S. Government (OFAC) should both clarify that the payment of ransom to Somali pirates, in return for the release of human victims, is a form of extortion and would not be considered a sanctionable offence.