Oceans and Law of the Sea

National Legislation on Piracy

Updated 26 October 2011

The General Assembly has called upon "States to take appropriate steps under their national law to facilitate the apprehension and prosecution of those who are alleged to have committed acts of piracy" (resolution 64/71, paragraph 72) and urged "all States, in cooperation with the International Maritime Organization, to actively combat piracy and armed robbery at sea by adopting measures, […] and by adopting national legislation"( paragraph 74).

As noted in paragraph 75 of General Assembly resolution 64/71, the Division, together with the International Maritime Organization and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, has been compiling national legislation on piracy, to serve as a resource for States. Such legislation has been included in the DOALOS database of national legislation. For convenience, direct links to the legislation, as provided by Member States of the United Nations, are provided below.

Australia Italy South Africa
Bahamas Jamaica Spain
Bahrain Kenya Sri Lanka
Belgium Latvia Suriname
Chile Liberia Thailand
Cuba Malta Togo
Cyprus Mexico United Republic of Tanzania
Czech Republic Norway United Arab Emirates
Ecuador Peru United States of America
France Philippines Uruguay
Greece Singapore Zambia
Guatemala    

In addition, information provided by Member States of the United Nations regarding their national legislation on piracy may be accessed by following the links below.

Argentina

Greece New Zealand

Austria

Grenada Oman
Brazil Iran Poland
Bulgaria Israel Republic of Korea
Comoros Italy Russian Federation
Denmark Japan Spain
Estonia Morocco Türkiye
Finland Norway Ukraine

 


 

 


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