UNITED NATIONS’ FIGHT AGAINST NUCLEAR TERRORISM

[CHIMO]

War on terror has many front lines. Besides numerous intelligence agencies and military forces actively taking action to eliminate terrorist threat around the world, there are many other groups of people and organizations willing to contribute to this great effort. After the September 11th attacks, terrorism became very urgent issue to global security and has remained such one until today. Nuclear terrorism as an ultimate threat to the world’s peace and stability attracted close attention of international community.

On April 13, 2005, the United Nations adopted International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, which has been the first such kind document since the terrorist attacks on America in 2001. Many politicians and countries around the world warmly welcomed the newest development. U.S. Department of State issued an announcement expressing government’s satisfaction and hope that the novel instrument will strengthen “international legal framework to combat terrorism”. The idea of the Convention was strongly supported by both George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Convention was adopted by General Assembly without a vote by its resolution 59/290. The intent of the document was to prevent acts of nuclear terrorism. Article 2 of the Convention created some new categories of crimes previously not described in international law. Unlawful and intentional possession of radioactive material, as well as manufacturing or possession of radioactive device with the intent to cause death, serious bodily injury, substantial damage to property or environment was established a crime. Usage in any way and threat to use of radioactive material, a device or using/damaging nuclear facility in a way, which releases or risks the release of radioactive material were described as offences as well. Moreover blackmailing any State, international organization, natural and legal person, by such kind of criminal activities, essentially to force them to refrain from doing an act was explicitly prohibited. An attempt to commit the above mentioned offences, participation as an accomplice, organization and direction of such crimes or contribution in any other way were described as other offences.

The adoption of the Convention was largely interpreted as a political demonstration of the unity of the United Nations’ members in the war against terror. The Foreign Minister of Canada, Mr. Pierre Pettigrew, said that the Convention “demonstrates the resolve of the international community to work multilaterally to address the issue of terrorism”. However, it remains uncertain to what extent this latest development can contribute to combating international terrorism and if it can really play a significant role in preventing nuclear terrorist attack on any member state of the United Nations.
http://www.europeancourier.org/NTC_06_06_2006.htm