Iraq/Syria/the Sudan: Information on whether these countries issue seaman's books (seaman books)/passports to their commercial seamen, and on the ID cards used by such sailors and the issuing authorities of such cards according to international maritime law
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 6 July 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZZZ21208.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iraq/Syria/the Sudan: Information on whether these countries issue seaman's books (seaman books)/passports to their commercial seamen, and on the ID cards used by such sailors and the issuing authorities of such cards according to international maritime law, 6 July 1995, ZZZ21208.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab4a1c.html [accessed 18 December 2015] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
An official of the Syrian embassy in Washington, DC stated that the Syrian transport department issues seaman's books to Syrian sailors (5 July 1995). The official added that the Syrian interior ministry issues passports to sailors who apply for them. However, the official was not certain whether a sailor is required to carry a passport in addition to his seaman's book. The DIRB has requested the Syrian embassy to clarify this issue.
The DIRB has requested the Sudanese embassy in Ottawa to provide the DIRB with information on the above subject. The information will be forwarded to you when and if the DIRB receives it.
An official of the Port of Entry Management of Citizenship and Immigration Canada in Hull provided the following information during a 6 July 1995 telephone interview.
A sailor is required to have a Seaman's Identity Document (SID), which is issued pursuant to the regulations of the International Labour Organization. This document could take different forms (ID cards or booklets) and have different names, such as crew member ID card, seafarer's national ID document, crew member's certificate and seaman's book); seaman's books are more common than other types. Some countries such as Russia issue Seaman's Passports to their sailors.
The official stated that sailors are not required to have a passport in addition to their SIDs. So long as they possess valid SIDs and their names are listed as employees on the crew list presented by the master of the ship to the port authorities, they are allowed to leave their ships and enter a foreign country - Canada, for instance. However, persons who do not possess valid SIDs and whose names are not on the crew list are required to have valid passports and visas if they wish to leave their ships and enter Canada.
According to the attached fax sent to the DIRB by the Shipping Federation of Canada,
under the terms of the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention, 1958, the International Labour Organization mandates that states may issue either a seafarer's identity document (commonly known as a "seaman's book") or, alternatively, a passport indicating that the holder is a seafarer to commercial seafarers (17 May 1995).
Sources consulted by the DIRB do not provide information on whether Iraq issues seamen books or passports to Iraqi sailors.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Port of Entry Management, Hull. 6 June 1995. Telephone interview with official.
The Shipping Federation of Canada, Montréal. 17 May 1995. Fax sent to the DIRB from the Manager of Marine Adminstration.
Attachment
The Shipping Federation of Canada, Montréal. 17 May 1995. Fax sent to the DIRB from the Manager of Marine Adminstration.
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral source.
