Human Rights at Sea: Problems and Prospects
With 70% of the Earth’s surface covered by the seas and oceans but most of that space beyond the territory of states, there is something of a jurisdictional vacuum when it comes to Human Rights, which states are under an obligation to provide for, to protect and to fulfil. Who monitors compliance with Human Rights standards at sea? Who has responsibility for enforcing those standards? How great a problem is this and what are the prospects for the establishment of the ‘rule of law’ at sea?