A comprehensive and effective national legal framework is essential for the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear technology. Assisting countries in improving their nuclear legal infrastructures was one of the goals of the 2015 Nuclear Law Institute course taking place this week and next.
“It is vital to have comprehensive nuclear laws in place that are in compliance with international legal treaties and protocols,” said Peri Lynne Johnson, Legal Adviser and Director, IAEA Office of Legal Affairs at the opening of the two-week course, held for the fifth time for senior government lawyers involved in the drafting of legislation related to the nuclear field. The aims of the programme are to clarify any doubts about legal requirements, as well as to extend support for legislative assistance and provide in-depth information about the various legal instruments to strengthen global nuclear safety standards and security guidance, Johnson explained.
This year 63 lawyers from 51 Member States are participating in the course, including Tin Tin Nyo, Deputy Director of the Department of Atomic Energy at Myanmar’s Ministry of Science and Technology. “We don’t have nuclear power, but it is important to understand what we have to do to at the national level as nuclear applications are also used in other sectors like health and agriculture for which we need to have necessary legal infrastructure in place and not ignore safety standards and security guidance,” Nyo said. “I hope to gain the necessary legal information that will help my country have a better understanding about nuclear law, as we are in the process of drafting a nuclear law, as well as radiation-related laws.”
Safety, security and nuclear verification
The course is focusing on the main pillars of nuclear law, which are to ensure safety and security, as well as to provide a legal framework for the implementation of the IAEA safeguards regime. Topics relating to international nuclear liability in case of a nuclear accident with cross-border implications will also be discussed.
“With a growing number of international instruments and their increasing complexity, requests for assistance by Member States in the area of nuclear law are on the rise,” said Wolfram Tonhauser, Head of the IAEA Nuclear and Treaty Law Section.
I hope to gain the necessary legal information that will help my country have a better understanding about nuclear law, as we are in the process of drafting a nuclear law, as well as radiation-related laws.