Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185) - Yemen (Ratification: 2008)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

The Committee notes the complexity of the situation prevailing on the ground and the presence of armed groups and armed conflict in the country.

The Committee notes with regret that the Government has not submitted a report on the application of the Convention following the entry into force for Yemen of the 2016 amendments to the Annexes of the Convention. The Committee recalls that these amendments aim at aligning the technical requirements of the Convention with the latest standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) with respect to the technology for seafarers’ identity documents (SIDs) provided for in the Convention. In particular, they intend to change the biometric template in SIDs from a fingerprint template in a two-dimensional barcode to a facial image stored in a contactless chip as required by ICAO Document 9303. The Committee understands that no steps have so far been taken by the Government for the implementation of the specific provisions of the Convention concerning the issuance and verification of SIDs. The Committee requests the Government to adopt in the near future the necessary measures to give full effect to all the provisions of the Convention, as amended. It requests the Government to provide detailed information on such measures, including a copy of the applicable national provisions. The Committee also requests the Government to supply a specimen of a SID compliant with the Convention as soon as it becomes available. The Committee reminds the Government of the possibility to avail itself of the Office technical assistance.

[The Government is asked to reply in full to the present comments in 2024.]

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Articles 2 to 7 of the Convention. Seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention, in particular the reference to section 132 of the Maritime Act No. 15 of 1994, which provides for a Ministerial Order to regulate the issuance of seamen’s books. The Committee understands that no steps have so far been taken for the implementation of the specific provisions of the Convention concerning the issuance and verification of seafarers’ identity documents (SIDs), especially through the biometric template and machine-readable zone to be included in the SID, or the establishment of an electronic database of all SIDs issued.

The Committee is fully cognizant of the fact that ratifying countries may need some time before the facilities and systems necessary for the implementation of the Convention are effectively put in place, especially in view of the highly technical character of certain requirements and recommended procedures. The Committee requests the Government to provide together with its next report information on any concrete measures taken for the effective implementation of the Convention both in law and in practice.