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

Year 2023, Issue: 2, 203 - 227, 31.07.2023

Çiğdem Pekar

https://doi.org/10.33432/ybuhukuk.1290448

Abstract

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 inter- national 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.

Keywords

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

ULUSLARARASI NÜKLEER HUKUKUN DÖRT SÜTUNLU YAPISI: NÜKLEER GÜVENLİK, NÜKLEER EMNİYET, NÜKLEER GÜVENCELER VE SORUMLULUK

Abstract

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.

Keywords

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

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