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Article
Internationale Spectator 63/04,
April 2009,
pp. 216-218
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About the author
As Clingendael's United Nations-expert, specialized in political and military UN-issues, Leurdijk is senior research associate, lecturer, policy advisor and political commentator. His most recent publications are focused on the 'war on terrorism', and the role of international organizations, including the UN and NATO. More »
Strijd tegen piraterij voor de kust van Somalië in nieuw vaarwater, Dick Leurdijk
Dick Leurdijk reviews the decisions that the UN Security Council, since the summer of 2007, has taken in its fight against 'acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea' in the waters off the coast of Somalia. Initially, the Security Council focused on the use of military means, including the deployment of maritime vessels and aircraft provided by individual member states and international organizations (NATO, EU), culminating in the authorization to use force in the territorial waters and to hunt pirates on the territory of Somalia. In the course of 2008, the Council urged the further development of international legal instruments, taking into account the limits of current national and international customary law, suggesting, among others, the use of 'shipriders' in an effort to promote 'third state jurisdiction' in the fight against piracy off the Somalian coast - without prejudging the development of international law with respect to 'acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea' worldwide. In the meantime, the Security Council finds itself in new waters.