The Status of Artificial Islands in the International Law of the Sea

Öz

Creating artificial islands within the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has been a contentious issue, particularly in the context of disputes over maritime boundaries and territorial claims. While UNCLOS provides a comprehensive legal regime for the use and conservation of the oceans and their resources, it does not specifically address the creation of artificial islands. The failure of UNCLOS to adequately address this issue has led to challenges in regulating the creation of artificial islands, particularly in the South China Sea, where several countries have engaged in island-building activities. These activities have raised concerns about their impact on maritime security, the environment, and the rights of other states under UNCLOS. The lack of specific provisions in UNCLOS regarding the creation of artificial islands has also led to differing interpretations of its provisions by states, further complicating efforts to address this issue. Despite calls for the development of new legal frameworks to address this issue, progress has been slow, highlighting the challenges of regulating emerging activities in the maritime domain within the existing legal framework.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Artificial Islands
• International Law of the Sea
• Maritime Jurisdiction
• Sovereignty
• Freedom of the High Seas.

Yapay Adaların Uluslararası Deniz Hukukundaki Statüsü

Öz

Birleşmiş Milletler Deniz Hukuku Sözleşmesi (BMDHS) çerçevesinde yapay adaların oluşturulması, özellikle deniz sınırları ve toprak talepleri konusundaki anlaşmazlıklar bağlamında tartışmalı bir konu olmuştur. BMDHS, okyanusların ve kaynaklarının kullanımı ile korunması için kapsamlı bir hukuk sistemi sağlarken, yapay adaların oluşturulmasını özel olarak ele almamaktadır. BMDHS’nin bu konuyu yeterince ele almaması, özellikle bazı ülkelerin ada inşa faaliyetlerine giriştiği Güney Çin Denizi’nde yapay adaların oluşturulmasının nasıl düzenlenmesi gerektiği konusunda zorluklara yol açmıştır. Bu faaliyetler, deniz güvenliği, çevre ve diğer devletlerin BMDHS kapsamındaki hakları üzerindeki etkileri konusunda endişelere yol açmıştır. BMDHS’nde yapay adaların oluşturulmasına ilişkin özel hükümlerin bulunmaması da hükümlerin devletler tarafından farklı yorumlanmasına yol açarak, durumu daha da karmaşık hale getirmiştir. Bu konuyu ele almak üzere yeni yasal çerçevelerin geliştirilmesi çağrılarına rağmen ilerleme yavaş olmuş ve denizcilik alanında ortaya çıkan faaliyetlerin mevcut hukuk sistemi içerisinde düzenlenmesinin zorlukları vurgulanmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Yapay Adalar
• Uluslararası Deniz Hukuku
• Deniz Yetki Alanları
• Egemenlik
• Açık Denizler Serbestisi.

Kaynakça

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