they’re back: why can’t international law stop pirates?

They’re Back: Why Can’t They’re Back: Why Can’t International Law Stop International Law Stop

Pirates?Pirates?

David DavenportDavid DavenportCrystal SerenityCrystal SerenityFebruary, 2011February, 2011

Modern PiratesModern Pirates

New TargetsNew Targets

2010 A Record Year2010 A Record Year

• 53 ships taken53 ships taken

• 1181 hostages and 1181 hostages and 8 killed8 killed

• Up 10% from 2009Up 10% from 2009

Somalis Alone Have……Somalis Alone Have……

• 28 ships28 ships

• 638 hostages638 hostages

• Lawless region allows base of operation Lawless region allows base of operation (history of anti-dumping becoming piracy)(history of anti-dumping becoming piracy)

International LawInternational Law

Very Different from National Very Different from National LawLaw

International “Law” More Like International “Law” More Like “Norms”“Norms”

Universal JurisdictionUniversal Jurisdiction

Universal JurisdictionUniversal Jurisdiction• Belgium—Tried to become the Belgium—Tried to become the

world’s courtroomworld’s courtroom

• Spain—Bush Admin. Officials over Spain—Bush Admin. Officials over GuantanamoGuantanamo

• Norway—War crimes against IsraelNorway—War crimes against Israel

Universal JurisdictionUniversal Jurisdiction

Why Isn’t Intl. Law Working Why Isn’t Intl. Law Working Against Pirates?Against Pirates?

Legal Problems Legal Problems

Practical ProblemsPractical Problems

Practical Problems Practical Problems

RansomsRansoms

Ransoms in 2010 Ransoms in 2010 averaged $5.4 averaged $5.4 millionmillion

Total ransoms paid inTotal ransoms paid in 2010 $238 million2010 $238 million

Requires 4 things to tackle Requires 4 things to tackle this:this:• Law authorizing captureLaw authorizing capture

• Courts to try casesCourts to try cases

• Force to capture piratesForce to capture pirates

• Jails to hold themJails to hold them

Possible ApproachesPossible Approaches• United Nations Clarify LawUnited Nations Clarify Law

• Intl Crim Court (or one national court) to try Intl Crim Court (or one national court) to try casescases

• Regional Coast Guard to captureRegional Coast Guard to capture

• Clean up SomaliaClean up Somalia

They’re Back: Why Can’t They’re Back: Why Can’t International Law Stop Pirates?International Law Stop Pirates?