Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs [9] on Aug. 4 announced [10] they have submitted a revised bid claiming over 350 nautical miles of Arctic sea shelf to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf [11] (CLCS). The country's previous bids in 2001 were rejected for lack of evidence. Under Article 76 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (PDF [12]), Russia now argues [13] it has a right to extend its control up to 350 nautical miles. Canada, Norway [14], Denmark and the US are also attempting to claim territories in the Arctic. The sea shelf is believed to hold a large amount of oil and gas which Russia estimates could be worth up to $30 trillion.
In response to Russia's bid, Greenpeace International [15] expressed concern [16] over environmental risks of drilling in the Arctic and urged nations with territorial claims to protect the Arctic. In March 2014 Greenpeace filed a lawsuit [17] against Russia in the European Court of Human Rights [18] on behalf of the Arctic 30, a group of Greenpeace activists who spent two months in a Russian jail following a peaceful protest against Arctic drilling [19]. Russian authorities dropped criminal charges [20] against the Arctic 30 in December 2013. Earlier that year the activists were charged with piracy [21] following their staged protest. Russia's treatment of the activists drew criticism from a number of rights groups.
From Jurist [22], Aug. 5. Used with permission.
