Self- defence against maritime piracy

Abstract

The resurgence of maritime piracy and the importance of their means employed have forced States to repel the attacks of sea pirates in self-defence, and not only perform police work against this illegal activity. Furthermore, the extension and severity of this phenomenon explain that merchant and fishing vessels attacked for sea pirates have engaged their own defense with private security companies. This contribution attempts to answer the questions posed by the use of legitimate defense by States against armed attacks from private actors, as well as the use of armed force by private security companies to respond this kind of attacks from maritime piracy.