Part 2 of 5 Parts (Please read Part 1 first)
In addition to adhering to prohibitions, signatory nations must implement positive obligations, some of which are found in previous treaties but many of which are new to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
There are some technical requirements. One of these is the provision that signatory nations have to provide a declaration to the U.N. Secretary-General on their nuclear weapon status. They also have to put into force a comprehensive safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency for inspecting their peaceful nuclear program. If they already have such an agreement in force, they have to adhere to the additional protocol of a more intrusive inspection program.
The treaty also includes some new important provision for providing assistance to victims of nuclear weapons use and testing and remediating radioactively contaminated environments. This is the first time that international law has mandated that members of the U.N. deal with the humanitarian devastation that has been the result of decades of nuclear weapons testing as well as the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki seventy five years ago. This treaty is an important step in addressing the racist, colonialist and unjust legacy left by these uniquely terrible weapons of mass destruction. Those who analyze this treaty should not ignore these historic treaty articles.
Article Six of the treaty requires nations to “provide age- and gender-sensitive assistance, without discrimination, including medical care, rehabilitation and psychological support,” for victims of nuclear weapons use and testing “as well as provide for their social and economic inclusion.” States must also “take necessary and appropriate measures” towards the remediation of contaminated environments.
Nations with affected communities and contaminated environments in their territories are primarily responsible to structure and implement these obligations in order to respect these nations’ sovereignty and follow the legal precedent for assisting victims found in other treaties. However, Article Seven required that all nations cooperate to implement the provisions of the treaty. In particular, the treaty calls on all states “in a position to do so” to provide assistance to other states as they deal with these initiatives. This assistance may take many forms, including technical, financial, and material, so every nation should be in a position to contribute.
These provisions will be discussed at the first meeting of the nations that are parties to the treaty. This meeting will take place within one year of the date that the treaty enters into force. Austria has offered to host this meeting in Vienna. During this meeting, member nations will consider the logistics of international treaty meetings including costs and establishing rules of procedure. Observer states, including treaty signatories, and some non-signatory states including Sweden and Switzerland at least will also attend and share the cost of the meeting. The extent of their participation will be determined by the rules of procedures that are developed. Representatives of civil society will probably also play an active role at the meeting.
Please read Part 3