Court tells Russia to pay damages to Netherlands

[GennGreymane]

http://beta.trtworld.com/europe/cour...therlands-6612

An international court announces Russia must pay damages to Netherlands according to International Tribunal for Law of the Sea (ITLOS)
Aug 25, 2015 03:12 GMT
The International Tribunal for Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has told Russia to pay for damages to the Arctic Sunrise vessel to the Netherlands, after the court found Russia had breached its obligations under the UN Convention in accordance to the Law of the Sea, but the date of payment is not determined yet.

In the case of the Arctic Sunrise (Kingdom of the Netherlands v. Russian Federation), ITLOS Case No. 22, Provisional Measures, Order of Nov. 22, 2013, the court ruled that the Netherlands was "entitled to compensation [with interest] for material damage to the Arctic Sunrise."

Arcric Sunrise is a former icebreaker operated by Greenpeace. Russia arrested 30 Greenpeace International members on board the vessel, Arctic Sunrise on September 18, 2013 as they were attempting to block Russian attempts to frack in the area.

Following the court's decision, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, made a statement about the case.

“It makes clear that the Netherlands - as the flag state - had the right to stand up for the ship's crew," said Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koender.

"The Netherlands sees freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate as public goods that are worth defending," Koenders added.

Russia aims to claim 1.2 million square kilometers of the resource-rich Arctic Sea, expanding its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by more than nautical miles, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Russia’s document.

The expansion will give Russia the right to exploit 594 oil fields and 159 gas fields believed to be hidden under the sea bed, totaling an estimated five billion tonnes of untapped reserves.

The receding ice in the Arctic Sea has made the exploration and exploitation of previously undiscovered resources viable, as northern countries including Russia, the US, Canada, Denmark and Norway strive to assert their dominance in the region, which is believed to hold around a quarter of the world’s untapped oil and gas reserves.

[Ghostpanther]

And what will they do if Russia laughs it off and does not pay?

[GennGreymane]

And what will they do if Russia laughs it off and does not pay?

Likely nothing, I am of the view that international law is a joke.

[Shibito]

In soviet russia something something

[GennGreymane]

In soviet russia something something

Something something, motherland
Something something, top kek

[Army Dreamer]

In soviet russia something something

It's not soviet anymore. Just FYI.

[micwini]

Likely nothing, I am of the view that international law is a joke.

Yeah most likely nothing. Our government consists of a bunch of weenies. They always do what they do. They won't do things like Cameron did and actually make an argument for why they should NOT do something. Our government always play along nicely. Never question it or decline something.

[Wildtree]

Likely nothing, I am of the view that international law is a joke.

They could seize property that travels through dutch territory.
How likely does that happen (the traveling part)? Very likely, given that Rotterdam has Europe's largest freight harbor.

[Rukh]

Probably nothing will happen, but yes that's the right ruling. What should have happened is whatever russian fracking corp should have sued greanpeace.

[Wildtree]

Probably nothing will happen, but yes that's the right ruling. What should have happened is whatever russian fracking corp should have sued greanpeace.

In open waters?
Under what legal grounds?

[Mihalik]

And what will they do if Russia laughs it off and does not pay?

The issue is not political but judicial. Dutch courts will be able to freeze Russian state owned assets and properties in the Netherlands and possibly monetize them if need be.

The Netherlands is a massive trading and financial hub and does have the means to enforce the ruling without political intervention. Actually most EU members do, either directly through their own court system or through the EU authorities.

[Deleted]

The issue is not political but judicial. Dutch courts will be able to freeze Russian state owned assets and properties in the Netherlands and possibly monetize them if need be.

The Netherlands is a massive trading and financial hub and does have the means to enforce the ruling without political intervention. Actually most EU members do, either directly through their own court system or through the EU authorities.

Will never happen. We (netherlands) need Russian more than they need us.

[Mihalik]

Will never happen. We (netherlands) need Russian more than they need us.

Again. You don't really understand the complexities involved.

1, The amount Russia has to pay to Greenpeace is probably very moderate. The article is unclear on the exact amount, but considering European litigation rulings it will either way be a relatively moderate amount.

2, Dutch courts are often used by Russia to litigate with other European companies or interests groups. Just this year Dutch courts returned the brand name Stolichnaya to Russia.

Again this is not a political issue but a judicial one. As stupid as Russia can be politically, the flow of international trade and the ability to enforce contracts outside Russia is important for Russia.

Also for your information the ENTIRE VOLUME of Dutch-Russian trade amounts to about 22 billion Euros, this is both imports and exports. On the other hand access to Rotterdam is key for Russia as it's a main entry point of Russian oil to Western Europe. Also this 22 billion is a number from before 2012, Western investments and trade with Russia has declined substantially since, as has the value of Russian oil trade.

The idea that the Netherlands needs anything from Russia to any degree is silly at best.

[Karamaru]

Yea I am not gonna hold my breath that Russia is gonna pay us anything.

[Independent voter]

Russia probably has some assents internationally that Green Peace can seize and sell, leans placed on property, etc.

[Mihalik]

Russia probably has some assents internationally that Green Peace can seize and sell, leans placed on property, etc.

I actually read the ruling which was made by an international court. Russia apparently refused to participate in the trial and went unrepresented. Now the surprising part is that the ruling was supported not just by western judges, but also by the Chinese judge who is notoriously political.

This has an important dimension, because it highlights the determination of China to uphold the authority of international courts in international trade arbitration.

Russia really can't win on this one.

[Kuntantee]

Did they sign the law? If so, they will probably pay it.

[Shalcker]

I actually read the ruling which was made by an international court. Russia apparently refused to participate in the trial and went unrepresented. Now the surprising part is that the ruling was supported not just by western judges, but also by the Chinese judge who is notoriously political.

If it refused to participate then it is unlikely to pay damages too.

Russia really can't win on this one.

We can still refuse to pay though, just like with Yukos ruling.

[PixelFox]

And what will they do if Russia laughs it off and does not pay?

$100 entry fee to the Netherlands for Russian citizens until it's paid off?

[JohnBrown1917]

Russia won't pay, obviosly. But here is hoping the netherlands fights back in some way.
Maybe find another way to get the money.