Netherlands
The Netherlands was the only umbrella state to participate in the negotiation of the TPNW in 2017 and the only state that voted against the adoption of the Treaty. It has consistently voted against the annual UN General Assembly resolutions on the TPNW, including in 2021.
| TPNW Article 1(1) prohibitions: Compatibility in 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire | Compatible |
| Test | Compatible | |
| Possess or stockpile | Compatible | |
| (b) | Transfer | Compatible |
| (c) | Receive transfer or control | Compatible |
| (d) | Use | Compatible |
| Threaten to use | Compatible | |
| (e) | Assist, encourage or induce | Not compatible |
| (f) | Seek or receive assistance | Compatible |
| (g) | Allow stationing, installation, deployment | Not compatible |
| TPNW voting and participation | |
|---|---|
| 2021 UNGA resolution on TPNW | |
| 2020 UNGA resolution on TPNW | |
| 2019 UNGA resolution on TPNW | Voted no |
| 2018 UNGA resolution on TPNW | Voted no |
| Participated in TPNW negotiations | Yes |
| Share of women in TPNW negotiations | 30% |
| Vote on adoption of treaty text | Voted no |
| Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) | Voted no |
| IAEA safeguards and fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Safeguards Agreement | Yes |
| TPNW Art 3(2) deadline | N/A |
| Small Quantities Protocol | Yes (Original) |
| Additional Protocol | Yes |
| Fissile material production facilities | Yes (Civilian) |
| Highly enriched uranium stocks | 100–1000 kg |
| Plutonium stocks (mil/civ) | No/Stored abroad |
| Related treaties and regimes | |
|---|---|
| Party to the BWC | Yes |
| Party to the CWC | Yes |
| Party to the PTBT | Yes |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Annex 2 state) |
| Party to the NPT | Yes |
| Party to a NWFZ | No |
| Member of the CD | Yes |
Latest developments
The Dutch government coalition agreement states that 'While respecting our obligations to our allies, we will contribute to a world free of nuclear weapons'.1 The Dutch parliament has been very vocal in its support to remove the nuclear weapons on its territory, and has adopted several motions explicitly calling on the government to do so.2
In 2021, a motion calling on the Netherlands to join the First Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW as an observer was defeated in parliament despite support from a majority of political parties.3
In November 2018, the Dutch House of Representatives adopted a series of motions calling on the government to intensify its advocacy for nuclear disarmament, including to champion the TPNW within NATO and investigate the compatibility of the TPNW with existing Dutch legislation.4 In January 2019, the Dutch foreign and defence ministers informed the Dutch House of Representatives that there are no legal obstacles under Dutch law preventing the Netherlands from joining the TPNW.5
The Netherlands may sign and ratify or accede to the TPNW, but will have to make changes to its policies and practices to become compliant.
Recommendations
- The Netherlands should ensure that nuclear weapons do not have a role in its national defence plans and security policies. It should ensure the removal of the foreign nuclear weapons on its territory, renounce the possession and potential use of nuclear weapons on its behalf, for instance through a declaratory statement, and refrain from endorsing future alliance statements in support of nuclear weapons.
- The Netherlands should urgently adhere to the TPNW. Until it is in a position to do so, it should welcome the TPNW as a valuable component in the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture, work with the Treaty's states parties on practical steps towards disarmament, and attend the meetings of states parties as an observer.
- The Netherlands should upgrade to a Modified Small Quantities Protocol with the IAEA.