The 1982 UN convention on the law of the sea and piracy : a case study of piracy off the Somali Coast in 2005-2009

Abstract

The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is the main treaty dealing with all maritime affairs. The treaty criminalizes the offence of piracy. Piracy has become a major topic for intellectual analysis in the world today in terms of how to respond and contain the menace. This study will seek to find out whether the treaty effectively curbs piracy. It will carry out this investigation against the backdrop of piracy off Somalia's coast in 2005-2009. Moreover, the study will seek to identify the methods and means under the treaty that are used to address the piracy problem. This will entail a detailed analysis of the provisions enshrined in the treaty and singling out what anti-piracy enforcement mechanisms exist for purposes of evaluating their efficacy. The study will further identify areas of cooperation that states employ in order to manage and control piracy.