The Legality of Nuclear Weapons: A Complex Debate in International Law

Junyu Ma

doi:10.6918/IJOSSER.202410_7(10).0043

Authors

Junyu Ma

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6918/IJOSSER.202410_7(10).0043

Keywords:

Nuclear Weapons; International Law; UN Charter.

Abstract

This article examines the long-standing debate on the legality of nuclear weapons within the framework of international law. Although nuclear weapons are not directly prohibited by the United Nations Charter, the principles of the peaceful settlement of disputes and the prohibition of the use of force have raised questions about the legality of nuclear weapons. The article explores the main legal perspectives, including the 1996 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). By examining these sources, the article addresses arguments for and against the possession and use of nuclear weapons, highlighting the humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons.

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References

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