News
Kenspeckle Scots Support the Treaty
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- Published on Thursday, 14 January 2021 12:01
Kenspeckle Scots for the TPNW are registering to show their enthusiastic welcome for The Treaty of the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons whose entry into force in 8 days time will be celebrated far and wide.
The TPNWii prohibits the developing, testing, producing, manufacturing, otherwise acquiring, possessing, stockpiling, transferring, using or threatening to use nuclear weapons, assisting other states with these prohibited activities, stationing, deployment or installation of nuclear weapons belonging to other states on a state party’s territory. While the Treaty does not add any additional obligations on states which are not party to it, its entry into force will have significant impact on the nuclear-armed states.
Among those who have already registered their support are: Larry Flanagan, General Secretary of the EIS, Scotland's largest teaching union; Mike J Kirby, Secretary, UNISON Scotland; author AL Kennedy; Cameron McNeish, mountaineer, author and broadcaster; Aamer Anwar, human rights lawyer and formerly Rector of Glasgow University; Adam Holmes, Scottish singer and songwriter; Dave Anderson, actor; Bruce McGregor, fiddler and presenter of Travelling Folk on BBC Scotland: Gerry Loose, poet; Jim Sutherland, film composer for Brave ; Karine Polwart, Scottish singer, songwriter and writer; Rachel Sermanni, singer-songwriter; Alastair McIntosh, writer, academic and activist. Leslie Orr, feminist historian, theologian and supporter of the Scottish Women's Covenant for the TPNW.
AL Kennedy said:
“Scotland is fast developing an international reputation for good governance and humane policy making. It is pressingly urgent that we take our commitment to international harmony and human rights to the next level and become signatories to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Rather than a being a dumping ground for nuclear weapons and all their risks at home and promises of violence to the world, Scotland can be a leader.”
10 Anti-Nuclear New Year's Resolutions for 2021
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- Published on Wednesday, 30 December 2020 11:09
Looking for a New Year's Resolution that will make a real difference? Here are our suggestions for 2021:
1. Build the movement. If you're not yet a member of Scottish CND, why not join us now? If you're already a member, why not gift a membership to a friend? It may be too late for Christmas, but what better way to start the New Year than with a firm commitment to peace!
2. Join your local group. Local CND groups this year have organised events, run campaigns, and persuaded their city councils to commit to a nuclear-free Scotland. Find out more about local groups here, and make a difference close to home.
3. Learn about the Nuclear Ban. One of the most important developments in our lifetime, the treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW, or the Nuclear Ban Treaty) finally outlaws nuclear weapons - this year! Be ready to answer the doubters by using ICAN's excellent resources, and find out what it means for us in Scotland at nuclearban.scot.
4. Celebrate with us on 22nd January. This is the day the Nuclear Ban Treaty enters into force. Check ICAN's listing of events and celebrations around the world; follow our website or social media for local updates; look out for what other Scottish peace groups, faith groups and parliamentarians will be doing; and don't forget to order yourself a flag before they sell out!
Scottish CND AGM 2020 REPORT
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- Published on Thursday, 26 November 2020 11:29
Our Annual General Meeting took place via Zoom on Sat 21st of November 2020.
Please see enclosed the minutes of the meeting here.
A recording of our Speakers and Open Discussion can be found below.
If you wish to access the recording of the business part please get in touch by email.
A message from our First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was conveyed by Bill Kidd MSP.
HM Government must follow Scotland's lead in signing and ratifying the TPNW
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- Published on Monday, 23 November 2020 12:54
The below letter is in response to this Herald article and has been sent to the newspaper.
We have to be a little concerned about academic standards when the Professor of Strategic Studies at St. Andrews University chooses to write about the SNP submission to the UK Integrated Review without having read it properly. He says that 'unilateral disarmament' is not mentioned at all. However, in page 3 of the document, it states that: 'It is vital that the remaining treaties which constitute the nuclear disarmament regime be preserved and strengthened. HM Government must follow Scotland's lead in signing and ratifying the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons'. This will become a formal UN Treaty and part of international law in January. Every SNP MP and MSP have signed the Parliamentary Pledge in support of this Treaty.
2020 SCND AGM - Papers & Info
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- Published on Tuesday, 17 November 2020 12:09
Our AGM is taking place onnline (Zoom) on Sat 21st of November. Meeting is due to start at 10 am, but we require all participants to check in at 9.30 to verify their membership status and enable a staggered start for the organisers. If you wish to attend our AGM please register on our Eventbrite page here.
All the voting (executives & resolutions) will happen on the day. Instructions will be offered at the meeting. All voting participants will receive a personal ID in advance by email. Please make note of it to have it handy at the meeting. A separate ID will be given to delegates too so make sure you have both if you fall into that category.
Please see enclosed the papers for the meeting:
The Day the World Banned the Bomb
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- Published on Saturday, 24 October 2020 21:13
Today, Honduras became the 50th country to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The 50th ratification triggers irreversible entry into force.
Recalling Britain's Shameful Nuclear Anniversaries
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- Published on Thursday, 08 October 2020 15:13
October is a month of terrible anniversaries in Britain. Last week, on October 3rd, we marked the shameful moment when, in 1952, the United Kingdom became the world's third nuclear power, after detonating an atom bomb off the Montebello Islands in Western Australia.
Throughout the 1950s, the UK continued to test nuclear weapons in so-called 'remote' areas of Australia. The environmental devastation, and enormous damage done to human health and life, is still being felt today, especially by the indigenous people who lived close to the source of the blast.
The parade of deadly anniversaries continues this week. October 10th marks the day that fire broke out at Windscale nuclear plant (now Sellafield) in 1957 - an incident which narrowly avoided devastating the Lake District, and which is now blamed for at least 240 cases of cancer.
The Windscale Fire should stand as a warning that even nuclear power plants can be deadly. If you missed last week's newsletter, click here to read about the threat that Hunterston B power station still poses to hundreds of thousands of us in Scotland, and share your #ShutDownHunterstonNow photos on social media to join our online protest.
Our past casts a long shadow, and some of the challenges we face today are eerily similar to the nightmares of the 1950s. Did you know that "New START" - the treaty between Russia and the USA which provides for some measure of arms control - will expire this February, and talks to renew it are foundering?
The challenges are immense, but there is also hope. The world stands on the brink of ratifying the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons - an international agreement that would - fully, finally - ban the bomb. The importance of this moment cannot be overstated. Here, in Scotland, we must seize this opportunity to call for an end to nuclear weapons - out of Scotland, out of Britain, out of the world.
To receive regular updates on this and other essential campaigns, click here to subscribe to our newsletter, or join us and become a member of Scottish CND.
More Articles...
- Scottish CND AGM, 21 Nov 2020, 10 am (9.30 am registration)
- #Shut Down Hunterston Now
- SCND responds to the UK Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy
- Sutherland Space Hub and the Military
- Judging the Safety of Hunterston B Nuclear Power Station
- 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Japan – events 7th to 9th August 2020