Landmark anti – nuclear treaty takes effect Nuclear Weapons News

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The first ever treaty to ban nuclear weapons has come to fruition, a historic step killed by a lack of signatures from the world’s major nuclear powers.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons became part of international law on Friday, culminating in a decades-old campaign aimed at preventing the recurrence of U.S. atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. World War II.

The treaty seeks to ban the use, development, production, testing, station, stock collection and threat of nuclear weapons. It also urges parties to advance their treaty to other countries.

But it is difficult, if not impossible, to force all nations to ratify the treaty urging them not to possess such a weapon in the current global situation.

When the treaty was ratified by the United Nations General Assembly in July 2017, more than 120 people ratified it. But none of the nine countries recognized or believed they had nuclear weapons – the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, China, France, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel – supported it, and the 30-nation NATO alliance was not.

Japan, the only country in the world to suffer from nuclear attacks, does not support the treaty, even though those who survived the bombings of 1945 are pushing hard for that. to do. Japan alone denies the use and possession of nuclear weapons, but the government has said that pursuing a real coalition ban with nuclear and non-nuclear states is not so swiftly divided over it.

Nonetheless, Beatrice Fihn, executive director of the International Campaign for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, announced the coalition that won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize and helped lead the work to lead the treaty, “a great day for international law, for the United Nations and for the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki”.

Fihn told the Associated Press news agency that 61 countries had confirmed the agreement as of Thursday.

The treaty received its 50th ratification on October 24, triggering a 90-day period before it took effect on January 22.

Fihn said the treaty is “very, very important” as it will now be a key legal instrument, along with the Geneva Conventions on wartime and civilian treatment of civilians and soldiers and the customs that prohibits chemical and biological weapons and landmines.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the agreement showed support for multilateral approaches to nuclear disarmament.

“Nuclear weapons are a growing threat and the world needs urgent action to ensure their elimination and prevent the catastrophic human and environmental impacts of any use,” he said. in a video message.

Pope Francis lifted the enactment of the treaty during his general audience Wednesday.

“This is the first legally binding international instrument banning these weapons, and its impartial use would soon affect a large number of people and cause long-term damage. on the environment, “Francis said.

Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, said the treaty came as a historic step forward in efforts to liberate the world of nuclear weapons and “hopes it will lead to renewed action by nuclear-weapon states to increase their commitment to complete elimination of nuclear weapons. “

Fihn said in an interview that the campaign sees strong public support for conciliation in NATO countries and growing political pressure, citing Belgium and Spain.

“We won’t stop until we get everyone on board,” she said.

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