Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (Request for Advisory Opinion by the General Assembly of the United Nations)

Resumen

The International Court of Justice complied with the request for an advisory opinion by the United Nations General Assembly, and delivered its opinion by a vote of thirteen to one. The wording of the question by the General Assembly was: “Is the threat or use of nuclear weapons in any circumstance permitted under international law?” The Court received written statements by a number of States as well as oral statements in public sittings. It interpreted the mayor international Treaties referring to Nuclear issues and conflicts as well as related Court decisions and finally replied in the following manner to the question put by the General Assembly: 1. There is in neither customary nor conventional international law any specific authorization of the threat or use of nuclear weapons; (Unanimously). 2. There is in neither customary nor conventional international law any comprehensive and universal prohibition of the threat or use of nuclear weapons as such; (By eleven votes to three). 3. A threat or use of force by means of nuclear weapons that is contrary to Article 2, paragraph 4, of the United Nations Charter and that fails to meet all the requirements of Article 51, is unlawful; (Unanimously). 4. A threat or use of nuclear weapons should also be compatible with the requirements of the international law applicable in armed conflict particularly those of the principles and rules of international humanitarian law, as well as with specific obligations under treaties and other undertakings which expressly deal with nuclear weapons: (Unanimously). 5. It follows from the above -mentioned requirements that the threat or use of nuclear weapons would generally be contrary to the rules of international law applicable in armed conflict, and in particular the principles and rules of humanitarian law. 6. However, in view of the current state of International law, and of the elements of fact at its disposal, the Court cannot conclude definitively whether the threat or use of nuclear weapons would be lawful or unlawful in an extreme circumstance of self-defense, in which the very survival of a State would be at stake; (By seven votes to seven, by the President’s casting vote). 7. There exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control; (Unanimously).

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Convención sobre la prohibición del desarrollo, la producción, el almacenamiento y el empleo de armas químicas y sobre su destrucción

Tratado | Multilateral | Paris; Geneva | Sep 3, 1992

Palabra clave: Solución de controversias, Cumplimiento/aplicación, Infracciones/sanciones, Recopilación de datos/informes, Toxicidad/envenenamiento, Reforma legal/armonización/desregulación, Procedimientos judiciales/procedimientos administrativos, Organización internacional, Transporte/depósito, Actividades militares, Inspección

Fuente: IUCN (ID: TRE-001163)

Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and other Celestial Bodies (London Version)

Tratado | Multilateral | London; Moscow; Washington D.C. | Ene 27, 1967

Palabra clave: Investigación, Relaciones internacionales/cooperación, Exploración, Actividades militares, Espacio exterior

Fuente: IUCN (ID: TRE-000413)

Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil thereof (London Version)

Tratado | Multilateral | London; Moscow; Washington D.C. | Feb 11, 1971

Palabra clave: Contaminación radiactiva, Energía nuclear, Actividades militares, Fondo marino profundo

Fuente: IUCN (ID: TRE-000416)

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (London Version)

Tratado | Multilateral | London; Moscow; Washington D.C. | Jul 1, 1968

Palabra clave: Residuos radiactivos, Energía nuclear, Actividades militares

Fuente: IUCN (ID: TRE-000414)

Convención sobre la Prohibición de Utilizar Técnicas de Modificación Ambiental con Fines Militares u Otros Fines Hostiles

Tratado | Multilateral | Geneva | May 18, 1977

Palabra clave: Solución de controversias, Actividades militares, Institución, Relaciones internacionales/cooperación

Fuente: IUCN (ID: TRE-000140)

Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America (Treaty of Tlatelolco)

Tratado | Multilateral | Mexico City | Feb 14, 1967

Palabra clave: Organización internacional, Actividades militares, Institución, Energía nuclear, Recopilación de datos/informes, Monitoreo

Fuente: IUCN (ID: TRE-000572)

Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (London Version)

Tratado | Multilateral | London; Moscow; Washington D.C. | Apr 10, 1972

Palabra clave: Agentes biológicos, Toxicidad/envenenamiento, Sustancias peligrosas, Actividades militares

Fuente: IUCN (ID: TRE-000419)