https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/38634 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:16:12 GMT 2026-04-20T15:16:12Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55911 Title: Master of Laws in International Law 2018 Abstract: A list of the dissertations in Magister Juris in International Law submitted in 2018. Description: LL.M. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/55911 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40563 Title: Addressing maritime piracy : legal developments to fight this threat under the Maltese legal system Abstract: International shipping is a growing industry and major contributor to the economy. Unfortunately, this industry is also susceptible to various maritime security threats. The political and economical, situations on particular States have resulted in an increasing number of pirate attacks in certain regions of the world. The significant rise in acts of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and off the Horn of Africa since 2008 has placed this threat at the forefront of international attention. Concerns raised by the international community have exposed significant gaps in the international and domestic law frameworks to fight this crime. The purpose of the term paper is to examine the crime of piracy under international law and developments to fight piracy under the Maltese legal system. The study begins with a brief introduction defining piracy as a crime under international law, and makes reference to different piracy hot spots. An analysis of the historical development of the law of piracy was necessary to understand the complexity of the crime, and its evolvement from the classical phenomenon to the contemporary international threat. The term paper focuses on the definition of piracy under article 101 of 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. An analysis of the constitutive elements of the definition allows for a clear understanding of challenges encountered in combating this threat. The first part of the term paper also examined the counter-piracy regime under the Convention, with special reference to cooperation and jurisdiction to fight this crime. The second part of the paper focuses on the legal development of piracy provisions under Maltese Criminal Code. The research also covers the procedural challenges encountered by national courts when prosecuting the suspected pirates. Description: LL.B Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40563 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40515 Title: Improving seafarers’ rights on board of Maltese vessels through Malta’s ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 Abstract: Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 is a single international instrument that consolidates already existing ILO maritime labour Conventions and Recommendations with the purpose to provide decent working and living conditions for all seafarers. The Convention was incorporated into Maltese legislation under the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) Rules. The main aims of this term paper are to examine the extent to which the conditions of employment of seafarers working on board of Malta’s flagged vessels have been improved with the ratification and entering into force of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 and to define the effectiveness of the Convention in practice. In order to achieve the aims of the term paper, the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) Rules are analysed and the comparison is made between these Rules and the relevant provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act together with Maltese Subsidiary Legislation that have been revoked due to the entrance into force of these Rules, as the consequence of which, the novelties instituted by means of the newly implemented Convention are described. Moreover, the results of the questionnaires, conducted among seafarers working on Maltese vessels regarding the improvement of conditions of employment in practice, are scrutinized. In conclusion, this term paper highlights that although a number of novelties has been introduced, the Merchant Shipping Act together with revoked Subsidiary Legislation have already contained rather developed provisions regarding the conditions of employment, hence, have provided adequate protection for seafarers. With regards to the enhancement of conditions of employment in practice and according to the majority of the opinions of seafarers themselves, there is always room for improvements. Description: LL.B Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40515 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40506 Title: Children born at sea : an assessment of the international protection offered to stateless minors within the Maltese legal framework Abstract: This term paper examines issues relating to the international legal protection available to stateless minors within the Maltese legal framework, taking into consideration a salient local case on the matter. In the case Avukat Dottor Tonio Azzopard vs Direttur Tar-Registru Pubbliku, Hatra Chama, a Somalian citizen, was travelling from Libya to Europe when she gave birth to her daughter Muna, on an unregistered vessel which subsequently drowned, in international waters. Upon arrival on Maltese shores, Hatra registered for her own protection, however she was denied permission to register her daughter's birth, leaving her daughter unregistered, and without the minimun level of protection which is available to a refugee. Children born on high seas and refused birth registration upon reception in a State are left undocumented and inexistent in the eyes of the law. They are also very much at risk of becoming stateless - defined by the 1954 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons as 'a person who is not considered a national by any State under the operation of its law'. If any individual is not registered within the Public Registery of any State, and left without a birth certificate, or becomes stateless, that individual is severely hindered from unencumbered access to a number of rights. This term paper analyses the international, european and domestic laws applicable to children born on the high seas on unregistered vehicles and received in Malta. It examines the adequacy of these laws, taking into consideration practical realities faced by these individuals in Malta. It further considers the legal protection afforded to minors born in these same circumstances but orphaned shortly after their reception in Malta. Description: LL.B Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40506 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z