THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY SPACE OBJECTS FROM THE HUMAN RIGHTS PERSPECTIVE – SELECTED ASPECTS

Abstract

In spite of the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects being in force for a long time, it has not as yet been analysed from a human rights perspective. While at the beginning of the space age activities in space were associated only with states, the progress on humankind in the conquest of space has significantly changed that. Nowadays, the role of individuals in space operations is growing. The well-established human rights law on Earth also needs to be reflected in regulations concerning outer space. This paper assesses selected aspects of the Convention from the human rights perspective. The analysis encompasses the definition of “damage” along with the possible amount of compensation due to individuals and the different aspects of procedural guarantees available for them. The paper presents two possible routes for obtaining compensation: one through diplomatic channels and another using national channels of launching states. This study offers a de lege ferenda proposal to appeal to state parties to introduce internal regulations aimed at avoiding human rights infringements. Domestic law systems may create legal provisions that may fill the gaps caused by the Convention’s limitations, e.g. by introducing an appropriate insurance system for space passengers.