Zimbabwe approves nuclear protocols

Cabinet has approved nuclear energy conventions, protocols and agreements which will allow Zimbabwe to enjoy maximum international financial security against damage that would arise from its peaceful use.

Accession to the protocol will also help in the promotion of international peace and security through prevention of nuclear terrorism.

Acting Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere said after yesterday's Cabinet meeting that the protocols were presented to Cabinet by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi.

The basket of nuclear energy protocols, conventions and agreements that were presented include joint protocols relating to the Application of the Vienna Convention and the Paris Convention, International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of International Atomic Energy Agency and Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage.

Minister Muswere said the benefits of acceding to the conventions, protocols and agreements give Zimbabwe maximum international financial security against damage resulting from the peaceful use of nuclear energy, since ratification will allow Zimbabwean courts to have jurisdiction in matters arising from nuclear damage incidents, with their judgments being binding internationally.

Zimbabwe will also have an effective foundation for the regulatory and legislative framework for nuclear incidents, improvement in the country's compliance with the legal instruments of the International Atomic Energy Agency and with international laws in general.

Other benefits include cooperation with other States in the development of effective technical and legal frameworks to combat nuclear terrorism and promotion of international peace and security through prevention of nuclear terrorism.

The Convention on Nuclear Safety commits contracting parties operating land-based civil nuclear power plants to maintain a high level of safety by establishing fundamental safety principles to which states would subscribe. It is based on the parties' common interest to achieve higher levels of safety that will be developed and promoted through regular meetings, and obliges parties to submit reports on the implementation of their obligations for "peer review" at meetings that are normally held at IAEA headquarters.