June 5: Time for a "Sea" Change

Prevent War: Time for a "Sea" Change

Topics in this message:

  1. Hill Update: Time to Ratify Law of the Sea
  2. Take Action: Urge President Obama to Speak Out in Favor of Law of the Sea
  3. Additional Resources
  4. New Resources at FCNL.org

1. Hill Update: Time to Ratify Law of the Sea

Law of Sea icon One hundred and fifty-seven countries and the European Union have now joined the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Unfortunately, along with countries like North Korea, Iran, and Syria, the United States is not one of them. With the first annual World Ocean’s Day approaching on June 8th, FCNL and other groups are urging President Obama to speak out in favor of this important treaty.

The Law of the Sea treaty opened for signature in 1982 and entered into force in 1994. The treaty, sometimes described as a "constitution for the oceans," establishes a legal regime governing the world's oceans. It is a critical instrument for preventing violent conflict and protecting the earth's resources. The UN calls it the most “important international achievement since the approval of the United Nations Charter in 1945." FCNL and Quakers have a long history of support for the Law of the Sea, dating back to the very development of the treaty.

In 1994, President Clinton signed the Law of the Sea Treaty, but the Senate has not yet ratified it. Republican and Democrat administrations, senior military officials, environmentalists, the business community, and international law experts all support U.S. ratification. Only 67 votes would be needed to ratify the treaty. FCNL and other groups believe that at least 80 Senators would support ratification.

However, while there is strong support for ratification, Senate leadership is unlikely to schedule the treaty for a vote, due to other pressing priorities and procedures that would allow the small but vocal opposition to stall a vote. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (MA) recently noted that he would like to bring treaty ratification up for a vote in the Senate. FCNL and other groups believe that a presidential statement of support for Law of the Sea would help push the Senate leadership to make U.S. ratification a priority.

2. Take Action: Urge President Obama to Speak Out in Favor of Law of the Sea

FCNL has asked President Obama to speak out in favor of the Law of the Sea on June 8th, World Oceans Day. Please help by calling or sending a message to the White House in support of the Law of the Sea.

You can also support Law of the Sea on Facebook by posting a message on President Barack Obama's page.

3. Additional Resources

The Sea: An Awkward Absence (Economist Magazine)

High Seas Dithers (Foreign Policy Magazine)

Statement of U.S. Senator Feingold on UN Kenya Report (All Africa)

4. New Resources at FCNL.org

Diplomacy: Civilian Solutions to Civilian Problems

Development: Breaking the Conflict Trap

International Cooperation: Global Solutions to Global Problems

Support Foreign Relations Authorization Act (HR 2410): Letter to the House