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History was made on Saturday when a treaty outlawing nuclear weapons was finally ratified at the United Nations. The UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was opened for signature three years ago. The treaty required 50 countries to ratify it before it could enter into force. That milestone was reached on Saturday night.
The terms of the TPNW only apply to countries that have signed and ratified the agreement. And while the nine nuclear-weapon states currently claim they will not support it, the treaty is a significant indicator toward changing international attitudes toward nuclear weapons. Previous treaties banning chemical and biological weapons helped to stigmatize them in the public mind. This is happening now with nuclear weapons.
Pax Christi said: “This landmark agreement will undoubtedly generate an international momentum towards global nuclear abolition. The treaty is a breakthrough in international disarmament efforts and will be enormously supportive in achieving the goal that most of the world shares: not to there is room for these weapons of mass destruction. “
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) will now officially enter into force on January 22 after 50 countries ratified the agreement, with another 84 signatures.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said: “The only way to completely eliminate nuclear risk is to completely eliminate nuclear weapons. I look forward to the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.”
Bruce Kent, CND vice president, said: “This is very good news. It makes it illegal for countries that have signed up to transport, develop, help test, manufacture, acquire, possess or store nuclear weapons.”
“It also changes the tone of the debate. Why should some countries continue with an indiscriminate weapon system that is illegal for most of the world?
“It is a tribute to the hard work of so many over decades. It is also a tribute to Pope Francis, who has helped greatly to change the nature of the debate. For example, on November 10, 2017, he said ‘… use, as well as his own possession, must be firmly condemned. ‘”
Pax Christi International said: “The treaty brings the force of international law to nuclear disarmament efforts. More than 80 countries have demonstrated moral leadership through early signatures and ratifications, and we urge other UN member states to follow its example.
“The new treaty reinforces the legal, diplomatic and financial pressure in addition to public defense for the total eradication of nuclear weapons.
“Nuclear devices are weapons of mass destruction, and radiation disproportionately affects women and girls. Indigenous peoples are especially vulnerable as their lands are exploited for resource extraction and testing in the development of nuclear technologies.
“The UN treaty obliges the parties to assist with victim assistance and environmental remediation, within and outside their own jurisdictions. An estimated 200,000 people died as a direct result of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, and many survivors – hibakusha – still struggle with discrimination, trauma, and extensive health problems.
“Pax Christi International and through its members in all regions will continue to advocate for more signatures, ratifications and full implementation of this treaty. Our work will continue with church leaders, governments and at the United Nations. As a Catholic movement for For peace, look especially to the Vatican for leadership, encouraged by the words of Pope Francis: “The common destiny of humanity demands a world without nuclear weapons.”
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is the first legally binding international agreement to completely ban nuclear weapons. There are nine nuclear weapon states in the world, none of which have signed the treaty. It was adopted at the United Nations on July 7, 2017.
Links
Full text of the treaty: www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/nuclear/tpnw/
ICAN website: www.icanw.org/the_treaty
CND: https://cnduk.org/
Pax Christi England and Wales: https://paxchristi.org.uk/
Pax Christi International: https://paxchristi.net/
Tags: Nuclear Weapons, Treaty, Nuclear Weapons Ban, Bruce Kent
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