NEWS RELEASES
April 13, 2005 (5:00 p.m. EDT)
No. 65
CANADA WELCOMES NEW CONVENTION ON NUCLEAR TERRORISM
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today welcomed news of the adoption of the
new United Nations International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear
Terrorism. The convention will require domestic criminalization of acts of nuclear
terrorism and will contain obligations relating to international cooperation and the
prevention, investigation and prosecution of acts of nuclear terrorism.
“Canada is very pleased with the adoption of this convention, which complements and
strengthens the existing international legal framework on terrorism. It demonstrates the
resolve of the international community to work multilaterally to address the issue of
terrorism,” said Minister Pettigrew.
The convention, in negotiation since 1997, is the first UN terrorism-related international
instrument adopted since September 11, 2001. It will be open for signature as of
September 14, 2005, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the United Nations and the
summit opening the 60th session of the UN General Assembly.
“It is our hope that the progress on this convention will lend momentum to discussions
on the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. We will continue to
work constructively toward finalizing this latter convention as well,” said Anne McLellan,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
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