This file may not be suitable for users of assistive. The comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty ctbt will not be effective until all the 44 states listed in its annex 2 ratify it. Nuclear nonproliferation in international law tmc asser instituut. While the united states above all insists on maintaining nonproliferation, many nonnuclear weapons states demand the npts disarmament pledge be fulfilled and refuse to be cut off gradually. The unifying thesis of this book is that the original balance of principles underlying the npt, which can be distilled through an application of the principles of treaty interpretation contained in articles 31 and 32 of the vienna convention on the law of treaties, has for over a decade been distorted particularly by nuclearweaponpossessing, led by the united states, in favor of a disproportionate prioritization of nonproliferation principles. Interpreting the nuclear non proliferation treaty, daniel h. Joyner the 1968 nuclear nonproliferation treaty has proven the most complicated and controversial of all arms control treaties, both in. The 1968 treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons npt, which was extended indefinitely in 1995, provides a. Interpreting the nuclear nonproliferation treaty by. List of parties to the treaty on the nonproliferation of. Reviewed every five years, this treaty addresses three main issue areas, or pillars. Treaty for the prohibition of nuclear weapons in latin america tlatelolco treaty 14 february, 1967, mexico city 4.
Executive summary of the 2020 adherence to and compliance. China, france, russia, the united kingdom and the united states of america. Interpreting the nuclear nonproliferation treaty oxford. Apr 17, 2019 the nuclear nonproliferation treaty came into force in 1970, following widespread international concern about the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation and the spiraling nuclear weapon stocks of those states that had developed them. New us nuclear doctrine in view of global security environment. Nuclear nonproliferation practice is characterized by a wide range of government practice and activities of specialist institutions, seeking to monitor, implement and enforce a legal framework. Interpreting the nuclear nonproliferation treaty oxford scholarship. India is among the very few countries who have never signed the nuclear non proliferation pact. Is the nuclear nonproliferation treaty fit for purpose. The nuclear nonproliferation treaty the nuclear nonproliferation treaty npt is the centrepiece of the nonproliferation regime. Jan 10, 2014 international treaty treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons london, 1 july 1968. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons iaea.
Nuclear proliferation is the spread of nuclear weapons, fissionable material, and weaponsapplicable nuclear technology and information to nations not recognized as nuclear weapon states by the treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons, commonly known as the non proliferation treaty or npt. A special link has been established between the treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons npt and the ctbt. Nuclear nonproliferation treatyarchive 1 wikipedia. Interpreting the nuclear nonproliferation treaty ebook. Nuclear powers disarmament obligation under the treaty on. New us nuclear doctrine in view of global security. While the united states above all insists on maintaining nonproliferation, many non nuclear weapons states demand the npts disarmament pledge be fulfilled and refuse to be cut off gradually. First we must understand ukraines purposes for keeping its nuclear weapons. Nothing in this treaty shall be interpreted as affecting the inalienable right of all the. The nonproliferation treaty, the npt, and the nuclear nonproliferation regime is already under stress. Debating disarmament interpreting article vi of the. The iranian and north korean weapons programs have caused insecurity about the durability of the nonproliferation regime.
The treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons asil. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons if you would like to learn more about the iaeas work, sign up for our weekly updates containing our most important news, multimedia and more. On the road to 1995 how will political changes affect the npt and the nonproliferation regime. Nuclear proliferation is the spread of nuclear weapons, fissionable material, and weaponsapplicable nuclear technology and information to nations not recognized as nuclear weapon states by the treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, commonly known as the nonproliferation treaty or npt. Interpreting the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, daniel h. Joyner, interpreting the nuclear nonproliferation treaty. There are five nuclear weapon states, which are allowed to maintain nuclear weapons. This treaty is often referred to as the cornerstone of the global nuclear system and a foundation for the international security environment in which we live.
Interpreting the nuclear nonproliferation treaty by daniel joyner. Treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons, also called nuclear non proliferation treaty, agreement of july 1, 1968, signed by the united kingdom, the united states, the soviet union, and 59 other states, under which the three major signatories, which possessed nuclear weapons, agreed not to assist other states in obtaining or producing them. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons documents 2008. Interpreting the nuclear nonproliferation treaty daniel h. This is a thesisdriven monograph which will apply the rules of treaty interpretation.
It is difficult to move towards nuclear disarmament if none of the five states are prepared to implement article ii of the second pillar of the npt. India maintains its position that it can join the npt as a nuclear nonweapon state citing that externally prescribed norms or standards cannot be accepted on the issues that are contrary to its national interests or infringe on its sovereignty. Parties to the treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons the european council, recalling its firm and full commitment in favour of the objective of nuclear nonproliferation stated in the 1990 declaration adopted by the european council in dublin, the report on common foreign and security policy submitted to the 1992 european council. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons the united. The treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons npt is a cornerstone of global arms control and non proliferation efforts. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons london, 1. The future of the nuclear nonproliferation treaty august 2004 6 versies. The treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, commonly known as the nonproliferation treaty or npt, is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament. James a green, american journal of international law. The list of parties to the nuclear nonproliferation treaty encompasses the states which have signed and ratified or acceded to the international agreement limiting the spread of nuclear weapons on 1 july 1968, the nuclear nonproliferation treaty npt was opened for signature. May 07, 2014 treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons example of international regime 2. Text of the treaty the states concluding this treaty, hereinafter referred to as the parties to the treaty, considering the devastation that would be visited upon all mankind by a nuclear war and. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons npt 1 july 1968, london, moscow, washington 5.
Treaty on the prohibition of the emplacement of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction on the seabed. At the core of the nuclear nonproliferation regime lie international agreements, such as the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, nuclear cooperation agreements and nuclear export control agreements. These debates have intensified markedly in recent years. Proliferation has been opposed by many nations with and without nuclear weapons, as. The final provisions of the instrument of accession to the treaty by bahrain read as follows. Past and future non proliferation bargains bruno tertrais 012905 the nuclear non proliferation treaty npt is one of the most universallyagreed international legal instruments and also one of the most hotly debated. As the conference commenced, the usa and the ussr submitted identical revised drafts of the non proliferation treaty, which had been first submitted to the endc on 24 august 1967 endc192rev. The text of the treaty, taken from a certified true copy provided by one of the depositary governments, is reproduced below for the convenience of all members.
The npt was first opened for signature in 1968, and officially enacted in 1970. The 1968 nuclear non proliferation treaty npt classifies the state parties into two groups. The 1968 treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons npt, which was extended indefinitely in 1995, provides a comprehensive legal structure of. The nuclear non proliferation treaty or nnpt is a treaty that was made to stop nuclear weapons from being built. The author offers a close analysis of article vi of the treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons npt, the treaty s only article dealing with disarmament, focusing upon both its text and negotiating history, and assesses its applicability as a standard for judging treaty compliance.
Nuclear nonproliferation treaty 1968 the united states, the soviet union and the united kingdom signed the treaty, which limits the spread of military nuclear. Legal issues regarding the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, the use of nuclear. The treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons npt is an international agreement that seeks to halt the spread of nuclear weapons throughout world. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and the. Interpreting article vi of the treaty on the nonproliferation of. Daniel joyner the 1968 nuclear nonproliferation treaty has proven the most complicated and controversial of all arms control treaties, both in principle and in practice. Reviewing the nuclear nonproliferation treaty hsdl.
The three depositary states were the soviet union and later its successor state russia, the united kingdom, the. Joyner oxford university press 2011 u of alabama legal studies research paper no. Nonproliferation challenges facing the trump administration. The 1968 nuclear nonproliferation treaty has proven the most complicated and controversial of all arms control treaties, both in principle and in practice. The global nuclear non proliferation regime, as it has evolved since the entry into force of the nuclear non proliferation treaty npt in 1970, has been remarkably resilient. It is a binding multilateral treaty with the goal of general and complete nuclear weapons disarmament. Nonproliferation program february 2007 priority steps to strengthen the nonproliferation regime by pierre goldschmidt introduction he greater the number of states possessing nuclear weapons, the greater the risk that one day, by design or accident, they will be used by a state or a nonstate actor with catastrophic consequences.
It was written in 1968, entered into force in 1970, and 190 countries have signed it since then. Not only must a majority of npt members ratify any proposed amendments, but every member of the iaea government board and every npt nuclear weapons state member must ratify the proposal as well, and this is only to get amendments for consideration by those states that have not yet ratified the npt. Statements of nuclear weapon states from the cold war to the present, led by the united states, show a disproportionate prioritization of the non proliferation pillar of the treaty, and an unwarranted underprioritization of the civilian energy development and disarmament pillars of the treaty. Nuclear nonproliferation treaty simple english wikipedia. As to what article vi might entail, the npts preamble is quite explicit. The year 2015 marks the 45th anniversary of the entry into force of the nuclear nonproliferation treaty npt. This is a thesisdriven monograph which will apply the rules of treaty interpretation in. Parties to the treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear. Executive summary of findings on adherence to and compliance with arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament agreements and commitments introduction purpose this document is an unclassified executive summary of the report that is transmitted pursuant to section 403 of the arms control and disarmament act, as amended 22 u.
Since it came into force in 1970, the treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons npt has been the cornerstone of the international nuclear nonproliferation regime. Interpreting the nuclear non proliferation treaty is an excellent book that sets out a clear thesis and then evidences its claims with significant detail. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons 241 annex b. Interpreting the nuclear nonproliferation treaty hardcover. As for amending the treaty, it is nearly impossible. The whole point of the treaty is to get states in compliance with the npt, which is why non nuclear states, in return for a pledge to remain nuclear weaponsfree, will be granted help by the p5 nuclear states with regards to civilian nuclear energy e. The treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons npt text of the treaty the states concluding this treaty, hereinafter referred to as the parties to the treaty. Interpreting the nuclear nonproliferation treaty by daniel. The principal aim of the npt is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and, with 189 parties, it has become the most universal treaty in the history of arms control and non proliferation. The treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons 729 u. The treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons npt is a landmark international treaty that seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.
The treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons, commonly known as the non proliferation treaty or npt, is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament. The 1968 nuclear non proliferation treaty has proven the most complicated and controversial of all arms control treaties, both in principle and in practice. Signed in 1968 by 43 states, the treaty entered into force in 1970 with three depositary states the united states, the. Npt is open to interpretation and has already been. Nonproliferation program february 2007 priority steps to. The treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons npt, consisting of a brief eleven articles covering five pages, is the worlds preeminent multilaterally negotiated nuclear arms control treaty. The packagekey documents of the 1995 nptrec 246 annex c. Fifty years of failure the nuclear nonproliferation treaty. A modern nuclear arms race in a time of disarmament introduction any discussion on the topic of nuclear weapons would not be complete without referencing the treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons npt. Instead, people fear nuclear armageddon, and the power of the atom is becoming synonymous with death and destruction.
Statements of nuclear weapon states from the cold war to the present, led by the united states, show a disproportionate prioritization of the non proliferation pillar of the treaty, and an unwarranted underprioritization of the civilian. Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, also called nuclear nonproliferation treaty, agreement of july 1, 1968, signed by the united kingdom, the united states, the soviet union, and 59 other states, under which the three major signatories, which possessed nuclear weapons, agreed not to assist other states in obtaining or producing them. Overview of the npt and the global non proliferation regime the treaty on the non proliferation of nuclear weapons was signed on 1 july 1968 and entered into force on 5 march 1970. There are a number of grey areas in interpreting the success or failure of nuclear non proliferation efforts. Statements of nuclear weapon states from the cold war to the present, led by the united states, show a disproportionate prioritization of the nonproliferation pillar of the treaty, and an unwarranted underprioritization of the civilian. The nuclear non proliferation treaty npt, currently the only global instrument on nuclear disarmament and non proliferation, entered into force in 1970 for an initial period of 25 years. Switzerland, the centre for bilateral and multilateral disarmament and non proliferation negotiations, and home of the conference on disarmament.
Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons wikipedia. The accession by the state of bahrain to the treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, 1968, shall in no way constitute recognition of israel or be a cause for the establishment of any relations of any kind therewith. May, 2011 nuclear and nuclearrelated exports have mainly been governed by the guidelines of the nuclear suppliers group nsg, an informal ie not treatybased group established in 1975 in response to the indian nuclear explosions in the previous year. All these countries are nuclear power states and adhere to the non proliferation treaty as a.
Recap international regimes are implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules and decisionmaking procedures around which actors expectations converge in a given area of international relations. The institute explores current issues pertaining to a variety of existing and future armaments, as well as global diplomacy and local tensions and conflicts. Today, nine states have nuclear weapons and many more can easily acquire those, although only five states are officially recognized as possessing nuclear weapons by the 1968 nuclear nonproliferation treaty npt. The nonproliferation treaty npt, officially the treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons is an international agreement. Interpreting the nuclear nonproliferation treaty book.