Which of the following statements are correct with regard to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ? 1. UNCLOS authorizes the UN Security Council to take a direct action in case of the disputes between States on sovereign rights over Exclusive Economic Zones 2. UNCLOS defines contiguous zones and specifies its functions 3. Both the US and India have ratified UNCLOS 4. UNCLOS grants certain rights to Landlocked States Select the answer using the code given below:
- A.1, 2 and 4 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 4 only
- D.1, 3 and 4
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, 2 and 4 only. UNCLOS defines the contiguous zone and gives landlocked states rights, but it gives the Security Council no such role, and the United States has not ratified it.
UNCLOS was adopted in 1982 and came into force in 1994. It sets the territorial sea at up to 12 nautical miles, the contiguous zone at up to 24 nautical miles, where a coastal state may enforce its customs, fiscal, immigration and sanitary laws, and the Exclusive Economic Zone at up to 200 nautical miles. Part X gives landlocked states a right of access to and from the sea and freedom of transit through neighbouring states. Disputes go to its own bodies, such as the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg, or to arbitration. India ratified it in 1995.
A is wrong because statement 1 is false: UNCLOS has its own dispute settlement, not Security Council action. B is wrong for the same reason and also leaves out statement 4. D is wrong because statements 1 and 3 are false.
Exam tip: 12 nm territorial sea, 24 nm contiguous zone, 200 nm EEZ; India ratified in 1995, the USA has not.
Practice Questions
View allConsider the following statements regarding the Andaman and Nicobar Islands :
1. There are 836 islands/islets/rocky outcrops.
2. The group of islands is divided by the Ten Degree Channel.
3. The Union Territory is home to tribes such as Koya, Malmi, Melacheri and Aminidivi.
4. There are more than two major ports in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.1, 2 and 3
- D.2 and 4
Show answer
The islands number 836 by the Union Territory's own count, and the Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman group from the Nicobar group.
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- C.Both 1 and 2
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