Disarmament and International Security Committee Handbook B

Transcription

1 Disarmament and International Security Committee Handbook B PRESIDENT: Eugenia Reyes Ruiz MODERATOR: Diego Vázquez Ruiz CONFERENCE OFFICER: José Alexis Pérez Armenta

2 Disarmament and International Security Committee DISEC Topic B: Prevention of an arms race in outer space Ever since the Space Race began in the 1950 s, the need for creating regulations for the use of outer space has been crucial. Therefore, in the consequent years many agreements were signed between nations to avoid the exploitation of outer space as a place to test out weapons or other military artifacts, as well as to limit the intentions of exploration. With this purpose in mind, the General Assembly created in 1959 the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) to serve as a governing body for space use and exploration. This committee was essential in the creation of the five main treaties and legal principles regarding space activities and international space law. The foundation of space governance relies on the Treaty on the Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies known as the Outer Space Treaty which bans the use of mass destruction weapons in outer space. It specifies that space exploration should be for the benefit of humanity, and no country can make a claim of appropriation as space is a free place for everyone to explore. Also, nations are directly responsible for any damage inflicted in space by them or any of their citizens. Established in 1967: 91 countries have signed, 62 have ratified and 36 have accessed; including the major spacefaring countries such as United States, Russia, 1

3 Disarmament and International Security Committee DISEC China, United Kingdom, Brazil, among others (see Figure 1.) The other four treaties that complement the Outer Space Treaty include the Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention, the Registration Convention and the Moon Agreement. Figure 1. Outer Space Treaty parties. (Happenstance, Danlaycock et al, 2015). They propose a strict record on all artifacts sent to space, together with protocols on astronaut safety and countries responsibilities. Furthermore, the Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water, was another important step towards an attempt to reduce weaponization. However, the established regulations are not entirely complete, as it excludes other types of weapons and the development of space military technology. Some of the main threats involve what are known as Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, capable of high destruction and landing precision that cannot be stopped with anything yet, makes them seriously dangerous. Limitation for this this kind of weapons is non existent and its possession has been declared by Russia, India, United States, China, France, Israel, and North Korea (see Figure 2). New 2

4 Disarmament and International Security Committee DISEC negotiations should be made to try and conclude what the SALT treaties aimed to achieve. Figure 2. (Arms Control Association, 2018). Another crucial element in space militarization are military satellites, and the dominance from a few countries over them (see Figure 3). Millions of data is gathered every day through this powerful machines, making them the centre of intelligence in space. Their use extends from the famous Global Position System to the possible equipment of weapons that could signify armed conflicts through satellites in both space and Earth. The fast rate at which technology is growing ads another worry on the list, seen as private companies are starting their own space projects which do not have 3

5 Disarmament and International Security Committee DISEC any contemplated regulations, as current space law applies mainly to nations and not individually. To counter this problems, the United Nations Conference on Disarmament (CD) closely working with DISEC has a resolution entitled Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) which forms a core item in their agenda. This resolution aims to create a weapon-free outer space, and prevent any conflicts between states. As a major focus, it pretends to address situations that were not taken into account in the previous treaty, making sure states cannot use or develop any kind weapon in or for space. Sadly, the intentions that some governments have publicly stated are not very positive, but rather concerning. Space superiority is not our birthright, but it is our destiny Space superiority is our day-to-day mission. Space supremacy is our vision for the future (Weiner, Lord, 2005, par. 41). This just further proves the need 4

6 Disarmament and International Security Committee DISEC of international cooperation to find a viable solution, and avoid having to get to a point with no return. Figure 3. The Militarization of Space. (Tulk, 2013). Guide questions: Is space exploration benefiting all nations? Should we need weapons in space? What are the risks? What are the advantages? Are the existing regulations enough to prevent an armed conflict? What do they need? How can they be reinforced? What can DISEC do? Is the world prepared for this kind of conflict? 5

7 Disarmament and International Security Committee DISEC References Arms Control Association. (2018) Estimated Global Nuclear Warhead Inventories [Digital image]. Retrieved from Federation of American Scientists. (2018). Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space. Retrieved from NP-NFZ-PAROS.html Happenstance, Danlaycock et al. (2015). Outer Space Treaty parties [Digital image]. Retrieved January 18, 2019, from Howell, E. (2017). Who Owns the Moon?: Space Law & Outer Space Treaties. Retrieved from Nuclear Threat Initiative. (2011). Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I). Nuclear Threat Initiative. (2017). Proposed Prevention of Outer Space Treaty (PAROS). Retrieved from e-space-paros-treaty/ 6

8 Disarmament and International Security Committee DISEC Tulk, C. (2013). The Militarization of Space [Digital image]. Retrieved from United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. (2018). Space Law Treaties and Principles. Retrieved from U.S. Department of State. (2018). Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water. Retrieved from U.S. Department of State. (2018). Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. Retrieved from Weiner, T. (2005). Air Force Seeks Bush's Approval for Space Weapons Programs. The New York Times. Retrieved from al-for-space-weapons-programs.html 7