Résumé
Ces dernières années, la sécurisation de navires par des gardes armés privés dans le cadre de la lutte contre la piraterie maritime au large de la Somalie s'est généralisée,contribuant de façon efficace à une diminution sensible du nombre d'attaques de pirates sur les navires.
La multiplication d'équipes de protection embarquées privées à bord de navires a attiré l'attention de nombre d'organisations internationales, et en particulier celle de l'Organisation maritime internationale (OMI).
Les Etats participants à ses travaux se sont évertués à dégager de bonnes pratiques, recommandations à destination des Etats (du pavillon et du port), ainsi qu'aux propriétaires, exploitants ou capitaines de navires. L'objectif de ces recommandations était de limiter les atteintes à la sécurité que pourrait causer un tel déploiement, tout en respectant le principe de liberté des mers.
Ce principe, énoncé dans la Convention de Montego Bay, doit en effet être concilié avec le devoir de vigilance, que la jurisprudence internationale récente tend à préciser.
La multiplication d'équipes de protection embarquées privées à bord de navires a attiré l'attention de nombre d'organisations internationales, et en particulier celle de l'Organisation maritime internationale (OMI).
Les Etats participants à ses travaux se sont évertués à dégager de bonnes pratiques, recommandations à destination des Etats (du pavillon et du port), ainsi qu'aux propriétaires, exploitants ou capitaines de navires. L'objectif de ces recommandations était de limiter les atteintes à la sécurité que pourrait causer un tel déploiement, tout en respectant le principe de liberté des mers.
Ce principe, énoncé dans la Convention de Montego Bay, doit en effet être concilié avec le devoir de vigilance, que la jurisprudence internationale récente tend à préciser.
Abstract
These last years, measures relating to the securization of ships by private armed guards in the framework of the fight against piracy have been widespread, contributing efficiently to the decrease of the number of attacks by pirates on ships circulating off coast of Somalia.
The growing number of private security companies embarked on ships has attracted the attention of international organisations, and in particular of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
States participating in its work have drawn good practices and recommendations addressed to States - flag and port States - as well as to ship owners, ship operators or captains.
The objective of these recommendations was to limit threats to security that could be caused by the deployment of private armed guards on board, whereas respecting the principle of freedom of the seas.
This principle has to be reconciled with the principle of due diligence, which has recently been defined more precisely by the case-law of some international courts and tribunals.
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 growing number of private security companies embarked on ships has attracted the attention of international organisations, and in particular of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
States participating in its work have drawn good practices and recommendations addressed to States - flag and port States - as well as to ship owners, ship operators or captains.
The objective of these recommendations was to limit threats to security that could be caused by the deployment of private armed guards on board, whereas respecting the principle of freedom of the seas.
This principle has to be reconciled with the principle of due diligence, which has recently been defined more precisely by the case-law of some international courts and tribunals.
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.
