Freedom of the seas

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This article is about the concept in international law and admiralty law. For the ship, see MS Freedom of the Seas, and for the play and film of this title see Freedom of the Seas (play).

Freedom of the seas was one of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points proposed during the First World War. It stresses freedom to navigate the oceans. It also disapproved of war fought in water. The freedom was to be breached only in a necessary international agreement. An excerpt from the president's speech to Congress: The United States welcomed the concept of freedom of the seas, however, countries such as Britain, France, and Germany rejected/opposed this idea.

Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas, outside territorial waters, alike in peace and in war, except as the seas may be closed in whole or in part by international action for the enforcement of international covenants.

The United States' allies Britain and France were opposed to this point, as France was also a considerable naval power at the time. As with Wilson's other points, freedom of the seas was rejected by the German government.

Today, the concept of 'Freedom of the Seas' can be found in the 'United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea' under Article 87(1) which states: "the high seas are open to all states, whether coastal or land-locked." Article 87(1) (a) to (f) gives a non-exhaustive list of freedoms including navigation, overflight, the laying of submarine cables, building artificial islands, fishing and scientific research.

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