Conclusion: Responsibilities and Benefits of NWFZs

Responsibilities of States Parties to a NWFZ Treaty - Prohibited Activities

NWFZs treaties generally prohibit the following activities in the zone of application:

1. Conducting research on developing, manufacturing, stockpiling, acquiring, or possessing any nuclear explosive device;
2. Seeking or receiving any assistance in research on developing, manufacturing, stockpiling, acquiring, or possessing any nuclear explosive device;
3. Stationing of any nuclear explosive device; and
4. Testing of nuclear explosive devices.

The Treaty of Pelindaba also prohibits taking, assisting or encouraging any action aimed at an armed attack by any means against nuclear installations located within a NWFZ. The Treaties of Pelindaba, Rarotonga, and Bangkok forbid dumping radioactive waste and other radioactive materials within the NWFZ.

According to accepted guidelines, a NWFZ treaty may also require a declarations for the dismantling, destruction or conversion of nuclear explosive devices and facilities for their manufacture and testing.

This material is produced independently for NTI by the Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents.
Copyright © 2005 by MIIS.