Résumé
Soubassement d'internet, le réseau de câbles sous-marins voit son enjeu stratégique démultiplié par le dynamisme du cloud computing (l'informatique dans les nuages) et la dissémination des data centers (centres de données) aux quatre coins du Globe.
Son régime juridique, fondé sur la liberté de pose et de réparation, d'origine coutumière, s'est retrouvé peu à peu codifié via une convention entièrement dédiée aux câbles (la Convention de Paris de 1884) et au travers des dispositions des conventions sur le droit de la mer, celle sur le plateau continental de 1958 puis de Montego Bay de 1982.
Si ces textes ont encadré la liberté pleine et entière d'origine pour tenir compte des prérogatives de l'Etat côtier, la pratique trace les voies d'une coutume à même de restreindre plus encore la pose ou la réparation des câbles sous-marins.
Son régime juridique, fondé sur la liberté de pose et de réparation, d'origine coutumière, s'est retrouvé peu à peu codifié via une convention entièrement dédiée aux câbles (la Convention de Paris de 1884) et au travers des dispositions des conventions sur le droit de la mer, celle sur le plateau continental de 1958 puis de Montego Bay de 1982.
Si ces textes ont encadré la liberté pleine et entière d'origine pour tenir compte des prérogatives de l'Etat côtier, la pratique trace les voies d'une coutume à même de restreindre plus encore la pose ou la réparation des câbles sous-marins.
Abstract
The strategic importance of submarine cable networks, bedrock of the internet system, has been considerably enhanced by the development of cloud computing and the proliferation of data centers worlwide.
The freedom of laying or repairing submarine cables constitutes the basis of the legal regime which was developed through practice.
It was first codified by the 1884 Paris Convention dealing entirely with the subject of cables; then later the regime was included in some provisions of law of the sea conventions such as the 1958 Convention on the Continental shelf and then the 1982 United Nations Convention on the law of the sea.
These provisions have, nevertheless, set up the framework and limitations aimed at preserving coastal states rights.
The practice being now developed appears to limit further the freedom of laying and repairing submarine cables.
In application of the IMO recommendations, European States have adopted national regulations related to the activities of private armed guards deployed on board ships flying their flags. The principle aspect of these regulations is related to the use of force.
In application of the principle according to which the State has the monopole of using legitimate physical violence, and having in mind the risks of a derogation to this principle on human rights, national regulations must provide for limitations of the level of use of force as well as the types of arms used. Other aspects of national regulations - such as the rights and duties of the captain, or the control of the private guards'activities - are also fundamental.
The freedom of laying or repairing submarine cables constitutes the basis of the legal regime which was developed through practice.
It was first codified by the 1884 Paris Convention dealing entirely with the subject of cables; then later the regime was included in some provisions of law of the sea conventions such as the 1958 Convention on the Continental shelf and then the 1982 United Nations Convention on the law of the sea.
These provisions have, nevertheless, set up the framework and limitations aimed at preserving coastal states rights.
The practice being now developed appears to limit further the freedom of laying and repairing submarine cables.
In application of the IMO recommendations, European States have adopted national regulations related to the activities of private armed guards deployed on board ships flying their flags. The principle aspect of these regulations is related to the use of force.
In application of the principle according to which the State has the monopole of using legitimate physical violence, and having in mind the risks of a derogation to this principle on human rights, national regulations must provide for limitations of the level of use of force as well as the types of arms used. Other aspects of national regulations - such as the rights and duties of the captain, or the control of the private guards'activities - are also fundamental.
