Hague Code of Conduct (HCOC) - Members, Objectives & Features

The Hague Code of Conduct (HCOC) is an international treaty prohibiting ballistic missile proliferation. A set of general principles, promises, and limited confidence-building measures make up the HCOC. It is a collection of multinational measures to limit access to ballistic missiles, which might be a major source of mass destruction. Ballistic missiles and the agreements governing their distribution have always been in the news, making this a crucial topic for IAS Exam candidates. 

Hague Code of Conduct (HCOC) is among the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the International Relations section in the General Studies Paper-2 Syllabus and current events of national importance in general studies paper -1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.

This article will provide you with an overview of the Hague Code of Conduct and pertinent information for the UPSC IAS exam.

Hague Code Conduct

What is the Hague Code of Conduct?

The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) is a multilateral political commitment. It is aimed at curbing the proliferation of ballistic missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction (WMD). It was adopted on November 25, 2002, in The Hague, Netherlands.

• It is the outcome of attempts made on a global scale to restrict access to ballistic missiles that might be used to deliver Weapons.
• The Hague Code of Conduct is the first multinational code formed recently in disarmament.
• It is the only normative instrument to determine how widely ballistic missiles are used.
• The HCOC urges caution in producing, testing, and exporting ballistic missiles but does not outright forbid them.
• A multilateral export restriction system called the Missile Technology Restriction System (MTCR) forbids the creation of new missiles.
• To prevent terrorists from getting their hands on weapons and missile technology, the 35 member states have reached an informal political agreement.
• The rule was created in 1987 by the G-7 industrialised nations.

Background of Hague Code of Conduct

• The Hague Code of Conduct (HCOC), previously known as ICOC, was adopted in 2002 in The Hague.
• HCOC aims to stop the spread of ballistic missiles worldwide.
• It's a unique instrument for monitoring ballistic missile proliferation.
• HCOC doesn't require missile destruction, but it guides how states trade in missiles.
• It complements the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and has an open membership.
• States commit to limiting WMD-capable ballistic missiles and showing restraint in their development.
• The Code also promotes transparency with annual declarations and pre-launch notifications.
• Austria serves as the administrative contact for HCOC.
• Subscribing states started having regular meetings in spring 2003.

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Members of the Hague Code of Conduct

Hague Code of Conduct Members 

• France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States signed the Hague Code of Conduct in September 1987 in response to worries about missile proliferation and what was then known as “the Soviet Missile Threat.”
• The Hague Code of Conduct currently has 143 signatories.
• In 2016, India became a member of the Hague Code of Conduct, the latest signatory of the Hague Code of conduct members.

Objectives of the Hague Code of Conduct (HCOC)

• The Hague Code of Conduct’s principal goal is strengthening national and international security arrangements while promoting international disarmament.
• To achieve this, all participating countries take all reasonable steps to limit the development, testing, and deployment of ballistic missiles capable of carrying weapons of mass devastation.
• Under the treaty's terms, these systems' development, possession, proliferation, and testing shall be prohibited.
• Signatories must provide the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian groups access to any closed missile installation or launch region.
• The UN will be able to monitor whether or not a signatory is abiding by the treaty as a result. All signatory countries must likewise prohibit their ballistic missile personnel or technicians from working for any country that employs prohibited missiles.

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Features of the Hague Code of Conduct

The features of the Hague Code of Conduct are as follows:

• There are two types of Violation.
• To be used in terrorist attacks
• Missile Development and Deployment
• Any signatory who breaks the convention shall surrender ballistic missile weapons and their components to the United Nations for inspection.
• If a country is found guilty, the UN Security Council can impose penalties or sanctions through diplomacy.
• The HCOC also deals with the fate of a second country that has broken the treaty’s terms about an earlier signatory.
• The HCOC is a multinational convention that limits the development, possession, and deployment of ballistic missiles to maintain peace and lessen the risk of unintentional conflict.
• The primary goal is to minimize unintentional war due to missile development, testing, and deployment.

Consequences for Violating HCOC Guidelines

The HCOC guidelines are a non-binding, informal collection of broad promises and guiding principles that any nation can adopt. Also, there isn't a uniform compliance standard or a formal dispute resolution process. Nonetheless, at the yearly policy-level regular meeting of the HCOC, member states can talk bilaterally to clarify issues and talk about concerns.

We hope all your doubts regarding the Hague Code of Conduct (HCOC) would have been addressed now. Testbook provides study material for various competitive examinations. Ace your UPSC preparation by downloading the Testbook App!