‘Advisory Opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons’ of 1996 – time to re-examine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61345/1339-7915.2024.1.11Keywords:
nuclear weapons threat, war, Ukraine, Advisory Opinion on The Legality Of The Threat Or Use Of Nuclear WeaponsAbstract
The article examines the 1996 International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons. The analysis argues that the Opinion, while a significant step, remains incomplete in achieving nuclear disarmament.
The Court acknowledged the absence of a clear legal prohibition on nuclear weapons but emphasized their incompatibility with international humanitarian law.
The concept of ‘state survival’ as a justification for using nuclear weapons remains ambiguous and raises legal concerns. The Opinion’s call for pursuing nuclear disarmament in good faith necessitates further action. The Court avoided definitively outlawing nuclear weapons, leaving room for interpretation.
The applicability of International Humanitarian Law to nuclear use and its limitations were not fully addressed. The Opinion diverged from the UN General Assembly’s desire for a more explicit ban.
Need for re-examination: recent geopolitical tensions highlight the urgency of stricter regulations on nuclear weapons. The Opinion’s limitations necessitate revisiting it to establish comprehensive international law regarding nuclear arms.
The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of revaluating the 1996 Advisory Opinion and pursuing stronger international legislation to eliminate the threat of nuclear devastation.
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