Maritime Crimes Threatening Regional Security: Iran’s Legal Perspective towards the United Nations’ Holistic Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Author

PhD Candidate in International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Tehran, Collage of Farabi, Iran.

Abstract

Over the past years, Iran’s surrounding maritime area in the Middle East and Indian Ocean has encountered with a number of security threats, including piracy and armed robbery at sea, terror acts, illicit trafficking in arms and weapons of mass destruction, human trafficking as well as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and unlawful damage to the marine environment. Piracy and armed, in particular, as the main concerns can undermine local, regional and international security and stability. The following article tries to address the issues, with special focus on the eradication of organized maritime crimes through the international legal framework governed by the United Nations’ holistic approach. The study analyzes Iran’s own legal perspective on maritime security challenges and the ocean governance contributing to eradicate security threats.To this end, the paper encompasses various aspects and dimensions of the topic from the perspective of international law and the UN stewardship.

Keywords


  1. References:

    Books and Articles:

    1. AGARWAL, Sunil Kumar, “Contemporary Challenges of Security in the Indian Ocean Region”, SSRN (June 2011) online: SSRN.
    2. BARNIDGE, Robert P., “The Due Diligence Principle under International Law” (2006), Boston College International and Comparative Law Review, Vol. 8, No. 81.
    3. BECKMAN, Robert C., “Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Southeast Asia: The Way Forward” (2002), Ocean Development & International Law, Vol. 33, No. 3-4.
    4. BORGESE, Elisabeth Mann., and Francois N. BAILET, “Technology Cooperation and Transfer, Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea: A Discussion Paper in Two Parts for UNICPOLOS II” (2003), Ocean Yearbook, Vol. 17.
    5.  BRADFORD, John F., “Shifting the Tides Against Piracy in Southeast Asian Waters” (2008), Asian Survey, Vol. 48, No. 3.
    6. CHALK, Peter, “The Evolving Dynamics of Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea in Modern Era: Scope, Dimensions, Dangers and Policy Responses”(2009), Maritime Affairs, Journal of National Maritime Foundation of India, Vol. 5, No. 1.
    7. Christopher L. DANIELS, Somali Piracy and Terrorism in the Horn of Africa, (United Kingdom: Scarecrow Press, 2012).
    8. DUTTON, Yvonne M., “Maritime Piracy and the Impunity Gap: Domestic Implementation of International Treaty Provisions” in Michael  J. STRUETT, Jon D. CARLSON, and Mark T. NANCE, eds., Maritime Piracy and the Construction of Global Governance, (United Kingdom: Routledge, the New International Relations Series, 2013).
    9. ELLEMAN, Bruce A., Andrew FORBES and David ROSENBERG, Piracy and Maritime Crime; Historical and Modern Case Studies, (Rhode Island: Naval War College Newport Papers, 2010).
    10.  GANDHI, Manimuthu, “National Security and Maritime Law: Emergence of Unilateralism and Other Forms of Challenges to Universal International Law” (2009) Indian Journal of International Law, Vol. 49
    11.  GAROFANO, John, Andrea J. DEW, eds., Deep Currents and Rising Tides: The Indian Ocean and International Security (Washington: Georgetown University Press, 2013),
    12. GOLITSYN, Vladimir, “Maritime Security (Case of Piracy)”, in Holger HESTERMEYER (et al), eds., Coexistence, Cooperation and Solidarity, Liber Amicorum: RudigerWolfrum, (Boston: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2012).
    13. GOTTLIEB, Yaron, “Combating Maritime Piracy: Inter-Disciplinary Cooperation and Information Sharing Case” (2014) Western Journal of International Law, Vol. 47.
    14. GROTIUS, Hugo, The Freedom of the Seas, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Division of International Law (New York: Oxford University Press, 1916).
    15. GUILFOYLE, Douglas, Shipping Interdiction and the Law of the Sea (London: Cambridge University Press, 2009).
    16. KEARNEY, Milo, The Indian Ocean Region in World History (New York: Routledge, 2004).
    17. KLEIN, Natalie; Joanna MOSSOP and Donald R. ROTHWELL, eds, Maritime Security, International Law and Policy Perspectives from Australia and New Zealand, (London: Routledge, 2010),
    18. KLEIN, Natalie, Maritime Security and the Law of the Sea (London: Oxford, 2011).
    19. KRASKA, James, Raul PEDROZO, International Maritime Security Law (Leiden/Boston: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2013).
    20. MEJIA Jr, Maximo; Proshanto Kumar MUKHERJEE, eds., Selected Issues in Maritime Law and Policy (New York: Nova Science Publisher, 2013).
    21. MICHEL, David; Russell STICKLOR, eds., Indian Ocean Rising: Maritime Security and Policy Challenges (Washington: Stimson, 2012).
    22. MO, John, “Options to Combat Maritime Piracy in Southeast Asia”(2002), Ocean Development & International Law, Vol. 33, No 3-4.
    23. MORAN, Daniel, “The Maritime Governance System” in Andrew T.H. TAN, ed., The Politics of Maritime Power: A Survey (London: Routledge, 2007).
    24. MUKHERJEE, Proshanto Kumar and Maximo Quibranza MEJIA Jr., “The ISPS Code: Legal and Ergonomic Considerations” in Maximo Quibranza MEJIA Jr, ed., Contemporary Issues in Maritime Security (Malmo: World Maritime University, 2004)
    25. MURPHY, Martin N., Contemporary Piracy and Maritime Terrorism; the Threat to International Security (London: Routledge, The International Institute for Strategic Studies, 2007).
    26. NORCHI, Charles H., GwenaelleProutiere MAULION, Piracy in Comprehensive Perspective: Problems, Strategies, Law (Oxford: Pedone & Hart, 2012).
    27. ORIOLO, Anna, “The Multilateral Approach of the EU Maritime Security Policy: The Fight against Piracy, Terrorism and Violence at Sea” (2009), The Global Community: Yearbook of International Law and Jurisprudence, Issue 1, 251-66.
    28. PAPASTAVRIDIS, Efthymios, The Interception of Vessels on the High Seas; Contemporary Challenges to the Legal Order of the Oceans (Oxford and Portland: HART Publishing, 2013).
    29. PRYOR, Emma, “The Counter- piracy Efforts of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime”, in Phillippa LEWIS, ed., Mapping Counter Piracy Actors (United Kingdom: e-International Relations, Edited Collections, 2012).
    30. TRUVER, Scott C., The Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean (Leiden: MartinusNijhoff Publishers, 1980).
    31. TUERK, Helmut, “Combating Terrorism at Sea- The Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation” (2008), University of Miami International and Comparative Law Review, Vol.15
    32. WAMBUA, Paul Musili, “The Jurisdictional Challenges to the Prosecution of Piracy Cases in Kenya: Mixed Fortunes for a Perfect Model in the Global War against Piracy” (2012), World Maritime University Journal, Vol. 11.

     

    Documents:

    1. International Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (the SUA Convention)
    2. International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, New York, 1999.
    3. International Expert Group on Piracy off the Somali Coast (Workshop commissioned by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Somalia Ahmed OuldAbdallah, 21 Nov. 2008).
    4. International Law Commission Draft Articles on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses (1994),
    5. International Legal Materials, Cambridge University Press, 1988, Issue 21.
    6. Report of the Second Regional Forum on Maritime Manpower Planning, Training, Utilization and Networking of Centers of Excellence, Country Report From Islamic Republic of Iran,  Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, 15-17 October 2003.
    7. Report of the Secretary General Addendum, Oceans and the Law of the Sea, A/62/66/Add.1, 31 August 2007.
    8.  Report of the Secretary-General on Oceans and the law of the Sea, Secretary-General of the UN, 10 March 2008, UN Doc. A/63/63.
    9. Resolution 1988/8 of 25 May 1988 of the Economic and Social Council acting on the basis of the General Assembly resolutions 39/141 of 14 December 1984 and 42/111 of  7 December 1987.
    10. UN Documents, A/63/63, Oceans and Law of the Sea, Report of the Secretary-General, 10 March 2008.
    11. UNGA Resolution 36/125, UN Doc. A/RES/36/125, 1981.
    12. UNGA Resolution 52/26, UN Doc. A/RES/52/26, 1998.
    13. UNGA Resolution 54/33, UN Doc. A/RES/54/33, 2000.
    14. UNGA Resolution 63/111, UN Doc. A/RES/63/111, 2008.
    15. UNGA Resolution 65/37, UN Doc. A/RES/65/37, 2010.
    16. UNGA Resolution 66/231, UN Doc. A/RES/66/231, 2011.
    17. UNGA Resolution 67/78, UN Doc. A/RES/67/78, 2013.
    18. UNGA Resolution 68/70, UN Doc. A/RES/68/70, 2013.
    19. UNGA Resolution 62/215, UN Doc. A/RES/62/215, 2007.
    20. UNGA Resolution64/71, UN Doc. A/RES/64/71, 2009.
    21. UNSC Resolution 1838, UN Doc. S/RES/1838, 2008.
    22. UNSC Resolution 1851, UN Doc. S/RES/1851, 2008.
    23. UNSC Resolution 1897, UN Doc. S/RES/11897, 2009.
    24. UNSC Resolution1918, UN Doc. S/RES/1918, 2010.
    25. UNSC Resolution 1950, UN Doc. S/RES/1950, 2010.
    26. UNSC Resolution 2020, UN Doc. S/RES/2020, 2011.
    27. UNSC Resolution 2077, UN Doc. S/RES/2077, 2012.
    28. The United Nations Conference for the Adoption of a Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, held in Vienna from 25 November  to 20 December 1988.
    29. UNODC, Counter Piracy Programme: Support to the Trial and Related Treatment of Piracy Suspects, Issue 8Vienna, 2012.

     

    News and websites

    1. http://english.farsnews.com>, Tehran, 2 Sep. 14.
    2. http://en.parliran.ir>
    3. http://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/797924
    4. http://unpos.unmissions.org>        
    5. http://www.imo.org/OurWork/Security/PiracyArmedRobbery/Pages/Default.aspx>
    6. http://www.iora.net>
    7. http://www.presstv.com/detail/2014/09/17/379044/iran-navy-saves-china-ship-from-pirates/
    8. http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/2012/177
    9. Indian Ocean Tuna Commission website available at: http://www.iotc.org>
    10. Regional Commission for Fisheries, RECOFI website:<http://www.fao.org/fishery/rfb/recofi/en>
    11. UNODC website:<http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/about-unodc/  index.html?ref=menutop>