Establishing nuclear-free zone

Declaring nuclear weapons-free zones

Description

Excluding atomic and thermonuclear weapons from a region. The distribution and use of nuclear weapons are limited to certain areas of the world.

Implementation

The first nuclear-free zone was applied in the International Antarctic Treaty of 1959 which prohibits nuclear explosions and burial of radioactive material in the Antarctic. In November 1961 The United Nations General Assembly adopted a special resolution to make Africa a nuclear-free zone and in 1964 at its 19th session it adopted a resolution declaring Latin America a nuclear-free zone. Many other areas have been proposed: Central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, and the Indian Ocean.

An agreement to create a nuclear-weapon-free zone already exists for the south-west Pacific, but its implementation has been delayed by the objections of the nuclear powers, especially France, which undertakes tests in this region.

Claim

In view of the practical difficulties involved in reconciling the vast differences in circumstances and interests that exist between regions, an approach that combines a global declaration with region-by-region negotiations offers the best hope of creating a nuclear-free world.