The Four-Pillar Structure of International Nuclear Law: Nuclear Safety, Nuclear Security, Nuclear Safeguards and Liability

Uluslararası Nükleer Hukukun Dört Sütunlu Yapısı: Nükleer Güvenlik, Nükleer Emniyet, Nükleer Güvenceler ve Sorumluluk

Çiğdem PEKAR

With the discovery and global expansion of nuclear energy, the need for an international nuclear law framework has emerged. Thus, realizing the advantages of the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technology and its applications in our daily lives depends on an international nuclear law framework. According to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear law stands on four main ‘pillars’: nuclear safety, nuclear security, nuclear safeguards and liability. This study aims to trace the development of international nuclear law focusing particularly on its four-pillar structure. To this end, the study first examines the concept of international nuclear law, and then respectively focuses on nuclear safety, nuclear security, nuclear safeguards and civil liability for nuclear damage within the framework of international nuclear law. In this regard, the work of the IAEA, the world’s international nuclear watchdog, towards ensuring that nuclear science and technology are used in a safe, secure, and peaceful manner has been assessed. The study also puts that all four pillars of international nuclear law has been expanded and improved due to the need in process and the particular challenges they have faced.

Nuclear Energy, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Nuclear Safety, Nuclear Security, Nuclear Safeguards, Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage.

Nükleer enerjinin keşfedilmesi ve küresel ölçekte yayılmasıyla birlikte, uluslararası bir nükleer hukuk çerçevesine duyulan ihtiyaç ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu nedenle, nükleer teknolojinin güvenli, emniyetli ve barışçıl kullanımının avantajlarının ve günlük hayatımızdaki uygulamalarının gerçekleştirilmesi, uluslararası bir nükleer hukuk çerçevesine bağlıdır. Uluslararası Atom Enerjisi Ajansı’na (IAEA) göre, nükleer hukuk dört ana “sütun” üzerinde yükselmektedir: nükleer güvenlik, nükleer emniyet, nükleer güvenceler ve sorumluluk. Bu çalışma, özellikle dört sütunlu yapısına odaklanarak uluslararası nükleer hukukun gelişiminin izini sürmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu amaçla, çalışmada öncelikle uluslararası nükleer hukuk kavramı incelenmekte, ardından uluslararası nükleer hukuk çerçevesinde sırasıyla nükleer güvenlik, nükleer güvenlik, nükleer güvenceler ve nükleer zararlara ilişkin hukuki sorumluluk konuları üzerinde durulmaktadır. Bu bağlamda, dünyanın uluslararası nükleer gözlemcisi olan IAEA’nın nükleer bilim ve teknolojinin güvenli, emniyetli ve barışçıl bir şekilde kullanılmasını sağlamaya yönelik çalışmaları değerlendirilmektedir. Çalışma ayrıca, uluslararası nükleer hukukun dört sütununun da süreçteki ihtiyaç ve karşılaştığı belirli zorluklar nedeniyle genişletildiğini ve iyileştirildiğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Nükleer Enerji, Uluslararası Atom Enerjisi Ajansı (IAEA), Nükleer Güvenlik, Nükleer Emniyet, Nükleer Güvenceler, Nükleer Zararlara İlişkin Hukuki Sorumluluk.

INTRODUCTION

President Eisenhower’s so-called “Atoms for Peace” speech in 1953 laid the groundwork for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)¹, two pillars that continue to guide the global strategy for guaranteeing that the world’s most potent energy source is used solely for peaceful purposes. IAEA’s “vision” and objectives of “preventing nuclear proliferation” and “promoting the peaceful use of atomic energy” is clearly emphasized in the Atom for Peace speech. Thus, in many ways, the “Atoms for Peace” plan formed the principles underpinnings of both the IAEA and the NPT.² In 1957 the Statue of IAEA came into force with a major mission to “seek to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world”, and to “ensure that assistance provided by it or at its request or under its supervision or control is not used in such a way as to further any military purpose.”³ The Agency’s main mission clearly indicates the dual-use nature of nuclear technology namely peaceful and military uses.

It can be said that, since the establishment of the IAEA strong nuclear legal frameworks have been developed at the national, regional, and global levels. However, due to various challenges such as nuclear accidents, international terrorist attacks and discovery of clandestine nuclear weapons programs, international community has witnessed the emergence of new and strengthened existing international legal instruments on nuclear and radiation safety, nuclear security, safeguards, and civil liability for nuclear damage. International nuclear legal framework, in another words international nuclear law, acts as an umbrella for the establishment and development for these legal instruments.

This study first examines the concept of international nuclear law, and then respectively focuses on nuclear safety, nuclear security, nuclear safeguards and civil liability for nuclear damage within the framework of international nuclear law. It also aims to provide an historical perspective regarding the development of these four pillars of international nuclear law in order to assess the challenges they faced and put forward their respective replies to these challenges.