International regulations related to naval mines and protection of navigation

Abstract

The free movement of people and goods is one of the fundamental values of the European Union. Nowadays, the security environment out of Territorial waters is changing its characteristics. The statute of any military action in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) becomes more sensitive than ever. The use of naval mines is demanding adequate responsibility so that to correspond to trends in maritime security. It is vital, the perception for laying off mines at sea to be placed impartially between international legislation and military morale inspired by inherent civilization values, adequate to requirements of Geneva Conventions and United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS-82) in respect with human rights. The Convention relative to the laying of automatic submarine contact mines (Hague VIII) is an example that there are some needs for regulation of the use of naval mines at sea. Moreover, the significance of the Hague VIII Convention released in 1907 is more or less melting. UNCLOS-82 doesn`t treat the use of naval mines in details, so there is certain vacuum in regulation of those security aspects. The existence of sound and transparent principles is extremely important for building firm trust and mutual understanding between coastal states.