Thursday, April 14 2005 09:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

United Nations: The United Nations adopted an international treaty to prevent nuclear terrorism, which makes it a crime to possess radioactive material or device with the intention of causing death or serious injury.

A resolution adopted by the 191-member General Assembly by consensus and without voting calls on all countries to sign and ratify the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.

The Russian-sponsored treaty makes possession of radioactive material or nuclear device with a view to cause death or serious injury or damage to property or nuclear installations a crime and provides for prosecution and extradition of persons accused of such acts.

The treaty would open for signature on September 14, the first day of world leaders summit at the United Nations to consider the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the world body expects the heads of State and Governments to sign it to give it a strong political backing at the highest level.

It would come into force 30 days after 22 countries submit the instruments of ratification. Addressing the Assembly, speakers from several countries, including India, called for early ratification of the treaty to show the resolve of the international community to fight terrorism.

This is the 13th convention against terrorism to be adopted and Indian Ambassador Nirupam Sen called on the member States to complete negotiations on the comprehensive convention submitted by New Delhi in 2000 within one year as recommended by Secretary General Kofi Annan.

"This is important," he said, "as terrorism constitutes a major threat to the world peace, security, human rights, freedom and democracies.

"We are happy to note that this international legal instrument on terrorism ... happens to be the first international legal instrument adopted by the General Assembly since 9/11," said Sen.

"By its action today, the General Assembly has shown that it can, when it has the political will, play an important role in the global fight again terrorism," US deputy ambassador Stuart Holliday told the delegates.

The conventions adoption capped seven years of negotiations. Russian representative Alexander Konuzin said it was the first time a convention on terrorism focused on prevention and not in response to a terrorist act.