International Law & Gray Zone Conflict

Key PAFMM incidents

• USNS Impeccable (2009)
• Scarborough Shoal (2012)
• Haiyang Shiyou 981 (2014)

Clashes with ROK Coastguard

PAF Maritime Militia

Why call it a 'gray zone' conflict?

Why ask a lawyer?

ILC Articles on State Responsibility

• Conduct of State organs (Art 4)
• Exercising elements of governmental authority (Art 5)
• Acts in excess of authority or instructions (Art 7)
• Conduct 'directed or controlled' by a State (Art 8)

Acts giving rise to responsibility

• COLREG violations
• Excessive use of force
• Wrongful death or injury
• Etc

Available fora

Are they civilians?

Piracy (Art 101, UNCLOS)

• acts of violence, detention, or depredation;
• on the high seas;
• from a private vessel against another vessel;
• committed for private ends.

CONCLUSIONS

Prof. Douglas Guilfoyle