Dominica
Dominica is one of the states that did not take part in the adoption of the TPNW in 2017 but which have joined the Treaty as a state party. In 2022, it also signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) on 25 May and then quickly ratified it on 30 June.
TPNW Status
| TPNW Article 1(1) prohibitions: Compliance in 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire | Compliant |
| Test | Compliant | |
| Possess or stockpile | Compliant | |
| (b) | Transfer | Compliant |
| (c) | Receive transfer or control | Compliant |
| (d) | Use | Compliant |
| Threaten to use | Compliant | |
| (e) | Assist, encourage or induce | Compliant |
| (f) | Seek or receive assistance | Compliant |
| (g) | Allow stationing, installation, deployment | Compliant |
| TPNW voting and participation | |
|---|---|
| UNGA resolution on TPNW (latest vote) | Voted yes (2021) |
| Participated in 1MSP (2022) | No |
| 1MSP delegation size (% women) | N/A |
| Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) | Did not vote |
| Participated in TPNW negotiations (2017) | Yes |
| Negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) | Did not vote |
| Other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) treaties | |
|---|---|
| Party to an NWFZ | Yes (Ratified 1993, Tlatelolco) |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Acceded 1984) |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2022) |
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Acceded 2016) |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Ratified 2001) |
| IAEA safeguards and fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Safeguards agreement | Yes |
| TPNW Art 3(2) deadline | N/A |
| Small Quantities Protocol | Yes (Original) |
| Additional Protocol | No |
| Enrichment facilities/reprocessing plants | No |
| HEU stocks | No |
| Plutonium stocks | No |
Latest developments
In the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in October 2022, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), of which Dominica is a member, announced that they were all either states parties or signatories to the TPNW or ‘in the process of acceding to' the Treaty. The statement further said 'CARICOM is concerned that nuclear weapons continue to figure as a key component of the security doctrine of some states. Promotion of or reliance on nuclear deterrence as a security strategy merely perpetuates the false notion that we are safer by the assurance of mutual destruction. CARICOM resoundly rejects this approach and reminds that the very existence of nuclear weapons continues to present an unacceptable risk to both people and planet. It is for this reason that CARICOM Member States support the implementation of the [TPNW].'1
Recommendations
- Dominica should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.
- Dominica should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented domestically, through legal, administrative, and other necessary measures.
- Dominica should conclude and bring into force an Additional Protocol with the IAEA, and upgrade to a Modified Small Quantities Protocol.