THE IMPORTANCE OF ADHERING TO THE OBLIGATIONS SPECIFIED IN THE TREATY ON THE NON-PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Resolution adopted without a vote by the 91st Inter-Parliamentary Conference
(Paris, 26 March 1994)

The 91st Inter-Parliamentary Conference,

Convinced of the need to prevent vertical and horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons, ensure the security of all States and strengthen confidence-building measures in the context of the disarmament process,

Deeply concerned at the recent international events that have highlighted the need for the limitation and effective control of weapons of mass destruction,

Aware that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a major threat to global peace,

Recalling that the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) seeks to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons to non-nuclear-weapon States, while facilitating, without discrimination, access to and development of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, and commits parties to pursuing negotiations toward ending the nuclear arms race and achieving nuclear and general disarmament,

Concerned that several non-nuclear-weapon States with important nuclear programmes have not yet acceded to the NPT,

Also concerned that there remains a danger that non-parties to the NPT and even some signatories are seeking to obtain the necessary technology and equipment to construct nuclear weapons,

Aware that at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in 1995, convened under Article VIII of the Treaty, a decision must be taken to prolong the life and broaden the scope of the Treaty,

1. Calls on signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to fulfil their obligations under the Treaty and take the necessary steps to adhere immediately and fully to all its provisions;

2. Also calls on non-parties to the NPT to accede to it and conclude the required safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA);

3. Reminds all signatories to the NPT which have not yet concluded IAEA safeguards agreements that the timely conclusion of safeguards agreements is an unqualified obligation of signatories, and urges them to conclude such agreements and put them into force as soon as possible;

4. Calls for continued improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of IAEA safeguards, as well as for wider participation of NPT member States in IAEA activities;

5. Calls on nuclear-weapon States to make a formal reaffirmation of their commitment to pursue further nuclear disarmament measures pursuant to Article VI of the NPT so as to achieve complete nuclear disarmament within a timetable to be set at the Review Conference in 1995;

6. Also calls on all States concerned to:

• Co-operate closely in the safe destruction of weapons of mass destruction;
• Expand international disarmament co-operation and co-ordination;
• Inform the IAEA on the release of special fissionable material as a result of nuclear disarmament and to place weapon-grade plutonium under effective international control for the purpose of its safe and controlled destruction;
• Work towards a comprehensive ban on the production of special fissionable material for nuclear armament;
  

7. Urges all States concerned to conclude an early, comprehensive and verifiable nuclear test ban;

8. Calls on all parties to the NPT to strengthen effective multilateral controls on dual-use nuclear goods and apply these controls equitably against all countries which are not abiding by their obligations under the Treaty;

9. Also calls on all signatories to the NPT to make a commitment to its indefinite and unconditional extension in 1995 as a treaty providing for overall nuclear disarmament.