Public control in Antarctica: towards a problem statement

Abstract

This article is devoted to the analysis of modern problems related to the possibility and necessity of organizing and implementing public control in Antarctica. The territory of Antarctica currently does not belong to any of the states of the planet, however, a number of countries, represented by their representatives (including military personnel), carry out their activities on the territory of this continent, which creates or may pose a threat to the environmental security of this region of the world. The norms of international law have consolidated the institution of observers, who are sent by States that are parties to the Antarctic Treaty of 06/23/1961. However, the civil society of the countries participating in this Treaty, other international and interstate agreements on Antarctica, for example, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, as well as the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, in fact, is excluded from monitoring the activities, acts and decisions of both these international organizations and public authorities national States authorized to explore Antarctica and participate in international relations in this area. In the course of scientific research, a number of scientific methods were used, including: formal-logical; comparative-legal; historical-legal; statistical; sociological; method of analyzing specific legal situations. In this regard, the authors of the article analyzed international legislation on Antarctica, the mechanism of its development, conservation of natural resources, demilitarization, etc. The paper substantiates the need for the organization and control of civil society over the activities, acts and decisions of international governmental organizations, as well as public authorities of national states authorized to develop Antarctica and participate in international relations in this field. The authors formalized and analyzed the main problems that hinder the implementation of this control in this area. The article develops and substantiates a system of measures to resolve these problems, including by making appropriate changes and additions to the norms of international law, as well as national legislation on public control.