Afternoon edition
Daily current affairs for UPSC, BPSC, State PCS and PSC exams.
Why in news?
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has ruled against Equatorial Guinea for the detention of the cargo ship MT Heroic Idun, which had 26 crew members, including 16 Indians. The verdict offers relief to the detained sailors and reinforces the principles of UNCLOS.
Key points
- ITLOS ruled that Equatorial Guinea violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- The cargo ship MT Heroic Idun was detained by Equatorial Guinea in August 2022, accused of violating territorial waters and attempting to steal crude oil.
- The ship had a 26-member crew, including 16 Indian sailors.
- The verdict came after the Marshall Islands, the ship's flag state, moved the ITLOS.
- The crew was later handed over to the Nigerian navy and released in May 2023 after a penalty was paid by the ship's owner.
Background & context
UNCLOS is an international agreement that sets out the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans and seas, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of natural resources. ITLOS is an intergovernmental organization established to adjudicate disputes arising from the interpretation or application of UNCLOS.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II: International organizations, Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. GS Paper III: Security challenges and their management in internal and external domains.
Why in news?
Former Supreme Court judge J. Chelameswar expressed doubts about the practical effectiveness of Fundamental Rights in protecting common people, suggesting an audit might yield 'uncomfortable' findings.
Key points
- Former SC judge J. Chelameswar questions the efficacy of Fundamental Rights in safeguarding ordinary citizens.
- He suggested that an audit of these rights might reveal 'uncomfortable' truths about their real-world impact.
- Chelameswar noted that deprivation of liberty can occur based on a government official's belief that an individual's activity is detrimental to national sovereignty.
- He stressed the need for the judicial fraternity to examine the direction of the constitutional system and identify systemic flaws.
- The remarks were made during a conference on the future of legal education.
Background & context
Fundamental Rights are enshrined in Part III of the Indian Constitution (Articles 12-35). They guarantee civil liberties to citizens and aim to protect them from state actions and ensure equality. Key rights include the right to equality, freedom of speech and expression, right to life and personal liberty, and freedom of religion.
★ Prelims fact capsule
Article 21 guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. Separation of powers and dispute redressesal mechanisms.
Why in news?
An MLA has demanded the immediate launch of the second phase of tetrapod-based seawall construction in Chellanam, Kerala, to protect the coastline from sea incursions, highlighting ongoing protests and project hurdles.
Key points
- Demand for immediate commencement of Phase II of the tetrapod-based seawall construction in Chellanam panchayat.
- The construction aims to protect the coastline from sea erosion and incursions.
- Hurdles, including pending technical sanction and delays due to election code of conduct, need to be removed.
- Geobags are being deployed as an interim measure.
- A local committee has been protesting for over 2400 days for coastal protection.
Background & context
Chellanam, a coastal region in Kerala, is highly vulnerable to sea erosion and coastal flooding, particularly during monsoon seasons. The construction of seawalls is a critical measure to protect the lives and livelihoods of the local population and prevent damage to infrastructure.
★ Prelims fact capsule
Tetrapods are concrete structures with four legs, used as armour on breakwaters and coastlines to dissipate wave energy.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper I: Geography - Physical Geography, Social and Economic Geography of India and the world. GS Paper III: Disaster management, Environmental Conservation.