Something Old, Something New: The 2006 Semipalatinsk Treaty on a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia

Posted: 27 Oct 2008

See all articles by Marco Roscini

Marco Roscini

University of Westminster School of Law; Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Date Written: November 2008

Abstract

The present article analyses the provisions of the 2006 Semipalatinsk Treaty establishing a nuclear weapon-free zone in Central Asia, explores their different nature and compares them with those contained in the Treaties of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Bangkok and Pelindaba. The fundamental question to be answered is whether the Semipalatinsk Treaty will effectively contribute to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The article concludes that the treaty contains lights and shadows: although some positive innovations have been included in the final text, there are loopholes that might weaken the denuclearization regime. The “Great Game” in Central Asia and the tight relations of the regional States with the Russian Federation might also hamper the efforts to obtain the support of the other nuclear powers.

Suggested Citation

Roscini, Marco, Something Old, Something New: The 2006 Semipalatinsk Treaty on a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia (November 2008). Chinese Journal of International Law, Vol. 7, Issue 3, pp. 593-624, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1289141 or http://dx.doi.org/jmn033

Marco Roscini (Contact Author)

University of Westminster School of Law ( email )

4 Little Titchfield Street
London, W1W 7UW
United Kingdom

Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights ( email )

Villa Moynier
Rue de Lausanne 120B-CP 67-1211
Geneva
Switzerland

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