Second-yeаr master’student, “Humаn Rights Lаw” specialty, UNESCO Depаrtment
of Humаn Rights аnd İnformаtion Lаw, Fаculty of Lаw, Bаku Stаte University
E-mail: [email protected]
UDC 341.24:349.6
PROTECTION OF THE COMMON HERITAGE OF MANKIND: LEGAL AND
ETHICAL ASPECTS
Legal debates regarding the global commons began in the 1960s. Competitions between opposing blocs were leading to the initiation of new projects to explore and exploit outer space and the deep seabed. In 1967, Maltese Ambassador Arvid Pardo proposed to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that the deep seabed and ocean floor beyond the limits of national jurisdiction should be subject to a new international regime known as the “Common Heritage of Mankind” (CHM). Elements of the Concept of the Common Heritage of Mankind include non-appropriation, international joint management, sharing of benefits, peaceful use, and preservation for the benefit of future generations. Does this imply that the concept of the CHM has an inherent ethical aspect? The subsequent sections of this research provide a detailed analysis of the ethical implications underlying the CHM principle [9; 6].