The Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (Nuclear Materials Convention) (UN, 1980) with annexes and amendments covers a broad range of terroristic acts and possible targets, including nuclear power plants and nuclear reactors; it also covers threats and attempts to commit such crimes or to participate in them as an accomplice. The treaty stipulates that offenders shall be either extradited or prosecuted. It encourages states to cooperate in preventing terrorist attacks by sharing information and assisting each other in connection with criminal investigations and extradition proceedings, and it deals with both crisis situations (assisting states to solve the situation) and post-crisis situations (rendering nuclear material safe through the International Atomic Energy Agency).

International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (Nuclear Terrorism Convention), United Nations, New York, 2005. This Convention criminalizes the unlawful possession, use, transfer or theft of nuclear material and threats to use nuclear material to cause death, serious injury or substantial property damage. It legally binds signatory states to protect nuclear facilities and material in peaceful domestic use, storage as well as transport. It also provides for expanded cooperation between and among states regarding rapid measures to locate and recover stolen or smuggled nuclear material, mitigate any radiological consequences or sabotage, and prevent and combat related offences (UN, 2005).

Safety

Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), IAEA, Vienna, May 1980. This convention obliges states to ensure, during international nuclear transport, the protection of nuclear material within their territory or on board their ships or aircraft (IAEA, 1980)

Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, IAEA, Vienna, November 1986. This convention establishes a notification system for nuclear accidents that have the potential for international trans-boundary release that could be of radiological safety significance for another state (IAEA, 1986/1).

Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, IAEA, Vienna, November 1986. This convention sets out an international framework for cooperation among parties and with the IAEA to facilitate prompt assistance and support in the event of nuclear accidents or radiological emergencies (IAEA, 1986/2).

Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS), IAEA, Vienna, July 1994. This convention commits legally participating states operating land-based nuclear power plants to maintain a high level of safety by setting international benchmarks to which states would subscribe (IAEA, 1994).

Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, IAEA, Vienna, December 1997. This is the first legally binding international treaty on the safety of spent fuel and radioactive waste management. It commits participating states to achieve and maintain a consistently high level of safety as part of the global safety regime for ensuring the proper protection of people and the environment (IAEA, 1997/2).