NCJ Number
177584
Journal
African Security Review Volume: 7 Issue: 5 Dated: 1998 Pages: 3-10
Date Published
1998
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article reviews international law on the use of sea- mines in warfare.
Abstract
The only international convention on the use of sea-mines is the Hague Convention VIII of 1907, which applied to the one type of mine in use at the time. Still, this convention, if read in conjunction with other international conventions, is still applicable today. This has been shown by an initiative of the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in 1987, which held a series of meetings of international lawyers and naval experts on the need for modernization of the laws applicable to the conduct of armed conflict at sea. The result of these meetings was published in 1994 under the title "San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflict at Sea." Apart from other aspects of naval warfare, this manual also covers mine warfare at sea and builds on the Hague Convention by using the basis of customary law as well as Protocol II of the Conventional Weapons Convention (1980) regarding prohibitions and restrictions on mine warfare on land. For this process, reasonably concise and clear rules regarding mine warfare at sea were developed, which also form a framework from which much of the strategic implications of mine warfare at sea may be derived. Such accepted international law clearly states that it is the responsibility of the country or group laying a minefield to ensure, first, that it keeps an accurate record of where each mine is laid. Second, such a country or group is responsible for the development and maintenance of the ability to clear or disarm any mines in its inventory. 13 notes