The legal principle in international waters is quite particular. Who makes the law there? What are the sanctions applicable in this part of the world? These are some of the questions that come from the notion of "international waters". To better understand, read this post.
Freedom and non-membership, an inviolable principle on the high seas
On the high seas, there is no law that your country can enforce to subdue you. This is because international waters do not belong to any state. Therefore, no country's jurisdiction can be enforced there. However, you will only be free to navigate, fly over, or conduct research in this area if you comply with international conventions.
It is therefore a freedom regulated by the decisions and compromises made by all the countries of the world. Any violation of these conventions is subject to sanctions, defined by the United Nations.
The obligation to assist
People have the obligation to assist a person in danger on the high seas. This is an obligation thanks to international conventions. Moreover, it is essential to collaborate with all the states or institutions concerned, on a major criminal case:
- Piracy;
- Human trafficking;
- Drug trafficking.
This principle is recognized and approved by the States. In addition, there are also agreements or conventions aimed at regulating activities on the high seas such as fishing. These agreements aim to protect certain marine species such as whales, tuna, etc.
These are some of the aspects of the functioning of international waters at the level of the States of the world. This area belongs to the whole world, whether it is a coastal country or not. The principle remains unchanged, it is a no man's land. A place that cannot be owned by any country. Therefore, no country can make its law there as if it were its territory.