Somali Pirates or Eco Warriors & Freedom Fighters?

MPACUK Comment: You often hear the media demonise Muslim Somali 'Pirates', but what you do not often hear is why these men have taken up arms to stop the dumping of toxic waste on their shores. Perhaps the American, French and British gun boats killing these men, should address the evil that caused these men to take to the seas in the first place.

The question is: are they pirates or freedom fighters...or maybe both?

A 25-year-old Somali pirate has told the BBC's Mohamed Olad Hassan by telephone from the notorious den of Harardhere in central Somalia why he became a sea bandit. Dahir Mohamed Hayeysi says he and his big-spending accomplices are seen by many as heroes.

See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8010061.stm