War and natural disaster are too frequently in the headlines, and it is easy to be demoralised in this frightening era.
However, we must not forget that decades of international peace campaigning achieved a generational result in the form of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which entered into force in January 2021. This was the fruit of lifetimes of campaigning across the world, and a great vindication of the anti-nuclear cause.
The treaty is a landmark in the progress towards a world free of the nuclear scourge, setting out the terms for a comprehensive ban on nuclear weapons – including their development, testing, stockpiling and threat of use. The treaty enforces signatory states’ commitment to refrain from nuclear development as well as providing a framework by which nuclear states can peacefully disarm.
The fourth anniversary of the nuclear ban takes place on Wednesday, 22nd of January!
Nearly half of the world’s nations support the treaty, with the number of signatory states increasing year on year. The growing support for the formalised nuclear ban aims to deepen the taboo against the possession and use of nuclear weapons, and has already led financial institutions to divest from nuclear development programs.
The TPNW is more important than ever at a time in which nuclear re-proliferation is a real threat.
If a second Trump administration continues its policy of “maximum pressure” on Iran, that may provide an incentive to fall back on nuclear development, motivating other regional actor such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to pursue their own nuclear ambitions. Both Russia and China continue to develop new nuclear capabilities. Meanwhile, our government recently announced its desire to increase the UK’s nuclear stockpile, as well as spend an inordinate sum of money upgrading nuclear submarines whilst considering cuts to public services (https://cnduk.org/no-to-starmers-war-economy/).
At such a time, the need to build global support for the nuclear ban treaty could not be more urgent!
The other significant news of the week is the reaching of a ceasefire deal in Gaza, after 15 months of atrocities perpetrated by Israel amounting to what major human rights organisations call a genocide. With tens of thousands of innocent Palestinian men, women and children killed, and immeasurably more lives ruined forever, there is no doubt this ceasefire agreement has come far too late.
As well as through support from the US and our own government, Israel’s impunity in its actions in Gaza comes in part because of its widely-recognised nuclear capability, which it has never explicitly admitted to possessing.
This puts to lie the argument that nuclear weapons prevent war and atrocities. Possessing such weapons has allowed nuclear states to act with aggression and impunity since their invention.
The joy and relief of the Gazans who have endured hell is moving to witness. Scottish CND welcomes news of the Gaza ceasefire, but recognises that work must be done to ensure it can progress through its various stages. Even yesterday, Israel continued to bombard Gaza, killing dozens, and there have been reports of Netanyahu attempting to add poison-pill conditions to the deal at the 11th hour. The tireless work of the British peace movement to amplify the Palestinian cause and pressure the UK government to stop arming Israel must continue, even through the ceasefire period.
As ever, keep an eye on the Scottish CND Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates on the upcoming nuclear ban anniversary and other disarmament news!