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

Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185) - Azerbaijan (Ratification: 2006)

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Article 2 of the Convention. Issuance of seafarers’ identity documents. Referring to its previous comments, the Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication in its report that Act No. 324-VIQD amended sections 2 and 3 of the Seafarer’s Identity Document Regulations by removing the reference to ships registered in the Republic of Azerbaijan, thus allowing seafarers’ identity documents (SIDs) to be issued also to seafarers who are nationals or have been granted the status of permanent residents and who work on board ships registered in a foreign flag State. The Committee takes note of this information, which addresses its previous request.

Articles 3–5. Seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that: (i) the 2016 amendments to the Convention were approved by Act No. 313-VIQ of 4 May 2021; (ii) Act No. 324-VIQD of 25 May 2021, which amends the Seafarer’s Identity Document Regulations (Act No. 324-VIQD), gives effect to the 2016 amendments; (iii) seafarers are currently issued a SID that does not take account of the 2016 amendments; (iv) work is underway to issue compliant SIDs; and (v) once all the necessary procedures will be completed, the issuance of SIDs compliant with the 2016 amendments will start and a specimen of the new SID will be submitted to the Office. The Government further indicates that an independent assessment of the SID system, including quality control procedures, was carried out by the State Maritime and Port Agency in December 2022 and a report thereon was submitted to the Office in January 2023. While welcoming the Government’s efforts to ensure compliance with the Convention, the Committee notes that the independent evaluation carried out by the Government pursuant to Article 5, paragraph 4, did not take into account the 2016 amendments. The Committee requests the Government to supply a specimen of a SID compliant with the Convention as soon as it becomes available.

Article 6. Facilitation of shore leave, transit and transfer of seafarers. The Committee notes that the Government does not provide information in reply to its previous comments, and that the Seafarer’s Identity Document Regulations, as amended, do not contain provisions giving effect to Article 6.The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to give effect to Article 6 in respect of any seafarer who holds a valid SID issued in accordance with the Convention by other Members for which the Convention is in force. It also requests the Governmentto provide detailed information, including available statistical data, on any refusal of permission to come ashore or entry into its territory as provided for in Article 6, paragraphs 5 and 8 of the Convention, and to specify the grounds.