The Position of International Documents and Treaties in Environmental Protection with Emphasis on the Rights of the Seas

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zahra Tajari Moazzeni
Kobra Haj Moradkhani
Ehsan Hanafi
Department of Law, Go., C, Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran
10.22034/eiat.2025.250841
Abstract
Environmental protection remains one of the most pressing yet challenging issues of our time. In response, international legal bodies have developed a complex framework of customary and binding regulations. However, the efficacy of these instruments is often limited. This study critically examines the role of international documents and treaties in safeguarding the environment, with a specific focus on the law of the sea. It addresses two central questions: What are the principal themes in these international instruments concerning marine environmental protection? And to what extent do they possess the necessary deterrent force to be effective? The research hypothesis asserts that despite the proliferation of resolutions and conventions, these documents largely lack effective legal enforcement mechanisms. Employing a descriptive-analytical methodology and drawing on library sources and international legal documents, the findings identify several persistent challenges. These include a lack of commitment by member states, ambiguities in establishing civil liability and compensation for environmental damage, the prioritization of economic competition among developed nations, and fundamental structural weaknesses in addressing issues like marine debris. The study concludes that these factors collectively undermine the authority and impact of international law in protecting marine environments.
Keywords
Environmental Law
Law of the Sea
International Treaties
Enforcement Mechanisms
Civil Liability
Compensation
Marine Pollution
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