Alexander Torshin, vice speaker of the Federation Council

– Safe development of nuclear energy strongly depends on public confidence

On July 11 the Federation Council of the Russian Federation ratified the law “On the Adoption of the Amendment to the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.”

I would like to point out the anti-terrorist orientation of the key provisions of the amendments to this convention. These amendments allow raising the level of physical protection of nuclear materials and facilities in the signatory-states to the one existing in Russia.

The ban on the use of political motives for breaking the nuclear safety regime is a guarantee that the signatory-states will be able to safely develop their nuclear programs and will set legislative barriers to possible attacks on nuclear facilities by terrorists. All the signatory-states have pledged to prosecute the organizers and executors of any attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities.

In this light, I would like to support the initiative by Senator Grigory Nagisnky to toughen the responsibility for spreading of allegations about nuclear accidents and to draft an amendment to the Criminal Code envisaging criminal responsibility for organization of provocations and spreading of allegations about serious nuclear accidents.

The safe development of nuclear energy strongly depends on public confidence. Hence, the law enforcement and judiciary authorities must show adequate response to allegations shattering such confidence.