Document Type : Article
Author
Assistant Prof., Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Neyshabur, Neyshabur, Iran
Abstract
Despite a century-long history in international conference, low-tide elevations have received only a few provisions in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This natural piece of land surrounded by water and visible during low tide is a source of disputes among states, as the scope of the components defining and characterizing this formation is unclear. Furthermore, the role of the low-tide elevations in determining a state's maritime zones and delimiting maritime boundaries between states adds to the challenges faced by subjects of international law. This article, using library resources and a descriptive-analytical method, aims to clarify the definition of this insular formation, establish its legal status within international law of the sea, and analyze how it influences the delimitation of maritime areas in light of state practices, decisions from judicial and arbitration bodies, and opinions of legal scholars. The study reveals that the conventional definition of the low-tide elevations has become customary law and is easily considered in determining a state's maritime territory; however, based on state practice and the decisions of adjudicating bodies, low-tide elevations have had limited impact on the delimitation of maritime areas between states, often facing minor or even negligible effects.
Keywords
Main Subjects
English
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