ICAN Act On It Forum
Dear ICAN members and partner organizations in Scotland,
Will you join us at the ICAN Act On It Forum in Oslo, Norway on 9-10 March 2023?
During the two days period, ICAN and ICAN Norway will bring together the global movement against nuclear weapons for a unique two-day forum. The forum will be filled with workshops, speakers, panels and discussions about how we can abolish nuclear weapons. We’d love it if you could join us!
If you are interested, see the program here, read our Oslo Travel Guide here, and don’t forget to purchase your tickets here!
60th State fully ratifies the TPNW
The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire deposited its instrument of ratification of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) on 23 March 2022.
Côte d’Ivoire is the fifth West African country to ratify the TPNW, following Benin, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria. Another four ECOWAS countries have signed the TPNW, namely, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Niger, and Togo. At the continental level, ten other African countries have already joined the TPNW and 29 have signed it. These and several other countries in the region are working towards their adhesion to the Treaty.
In a statement to the United Nations in October 2020, Côte d’Ivoire announced that it was working to consolidate its commitment to the TPNW “through the completion of the ratification procedure”. By the end of that year, the council of ministers had adopted a draft law authorising the president to proceed with the ratification. The national assembly then approved it on 14 September 2021 and the senate on 20 December 2021.
Côte d’Ivoire has promoted universal adherence to the TPNW, including by co-sponsoring and consistently voting in favour of an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to the treaty “at the earliest possible date”. It was among the 122 that voted to adopt the TPNW on 7 July 2017 and was one of the first states to sign it when it opened for signature on 20 September 2017.
In August 2019, ICAN held a Regional Forum for Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Abuja, Nigeria, with the participation of representatives of West African countries including Guinea-Bissau, officials of the ECOWAS Parliament and Commission, as well as representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and civil society organizations. In a declaration, participants highlighted the strong support for the TPNW in the region and agreed to work toward signature and ratification of the Treaty. The ECOWAS Parliament and Commission have positively engaged in the TPNW.
January 2021 – The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Enters Into Force
The 22 January is a historic milestone for this landmark treaty. Prior to the TPNW’s adoption, nuclear weapons were the only weapons of mass destruction not banned under international law, despite their catastrophic humanitarian consequences. Now, with the treaty’s entry into force, we can call nuclear weapons what they are: prohibited weapons of mass destruction, just like chemical weapons and biological weapons.
Nuclear weapons are not a necessity for human security, and their use is not compatible with common sense, human decency, or the teachings of any major religion or ethics system. The atomic chain is losing its invisibility as survivors of civil war in African countries recall the uranium wars that destroy people. From slavery to cluster bombs and in school playgrounds and on factory floors, formal prohibition helps people to condemn what is unacceptable. The smoking ban made smokers outcasts. The US no longer manufactures or uses landmines. They never signed the treaty but did responded to global condemnation of landmines. Already, some financial institutions are saying NO to nuclear weapons, and campaigners can take heart that prohibition can lead to elimination. So lets make a noise about it! Churches and are expected to ring their bells and Quaker Meeting Houses will be dropping banners. The lockdown may prevent a huge demo at Faslane or George Square, but check out the international banner that you can order now and have in your window on the day.
These can be bought from UN House or from the SCND Online shop, or you can make your own. More news soon of action to celebrate the day we banned the bomb.
- 70th Anniversary of 1st UK Nuclear Tests – Webinar from Scottish CND
Join Scottish CND for a webinar on October 3rd, 2022 at 18:00BST to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the UK’s first nuclear tests. Get your free ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/70th-anniversary-of-first-uk-nuclear-tests-tickets-415882635157
- “Don’t Listen to the Naysayers: momentum for nuclear weapons divestment is growing” – Dr Michael Orgel
From MEDACT Scotland and Don’t Bank on the Bomb Scotland, Dr Michael Orgel has written this commentary published in “Medicine, Conflict, and Survival” Journal. It can be accessed, open-source, via this link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13623699.2022.2114136
- Reaching Critical Will – NuclearWeek Dailies
Ray Acheson with Reaching Critical Will and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom released four daily rundowns of the events happening at the Nuclear Ban Week running from the 18th-23rd of June 2022, in Vienna. You can read and download these dailies here:
- A BLOG FROM VIENNA
Tim Wallis, ED of Nuclear Ban US reports from Vienna We have just finished the first round of Nuclear Ban Week in Vienna, with two days of the ICAN nuclear ban forum. We have been over 600 people here in Vienna, with 50 events and over 100 speakers over two […]
- Scottish Greens Press Release – Ariane Burgess MSP highlights Greens call for an indy Scotland’s early accession to UN Nuclear Ban
In the last few days before the United Nations states that are members of the Treaty On The Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons meet for the first time in Vienna, and the Scottish Greens have made very clear their support for the Treaty and Scotland’s early accession. This follows the announcement […]
- Press Release – Peace Woman enters Nuclear Base via Canoe
On 14th June, the 5th day of the FABB camp, Ginnie Herbert entered the naval base at Coulport. She was accompanied by 3 other peace and environmental activists in their single canoes with banners flying. 2 independent press photographers witnessed and recorded the incident. Photos and film were taken of her beaching […]
- The National – “SNP MSP to take a seat at international anti-nuclear weapon conference”
https://www.thenational.scot/news/20210065.snp-msp-take-seat-international-anti-nuclear-conference/ Bill Kidd MSP will be attending the upcoming MSP for the TPNW. Cited in the article above, Kidd said: “Senator McPhedran and I look forward to strengthening the Scottish Canadian joint efforts towards nuclear disarmament, and will be proactively engaged in the 1st MSP meeting at the United Nations, […]
- UNA-UK: New report on addressing British nuclear tests in Kiribati
https://una.org.uk/news/new-report-addressing-british-nuclear-tests-kiribati Check out this new report from UNA-UK regarding the British nuclear tests in Kiribati “The briefing shares lived experience and expert contributions from Kiribati islanders. We hope it will be useful for UK officials, parliamentarians and civil society organisations, and complement work by others on communities affected by UK […]
- BBC Radio Scotland – Janet Fenton interview
Janet Fenton, SCND Vice-Chair, on BBC Radio Scotland this morning discussing nuclear weapons, NATO, and the primacy of the Nuclear Ban Treaty for Scotland’s future. Listen here from 34:30: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0c869v6
- ICAN Australia – New Prime Minister Backs the Ban
ICAN Australia discusses the advantageous results of the recent parliamentary election, accessed here: https://icanw.org.au/new-prime-minister-backs-the-ban/ “The election of the Albanese Labor Government heralds a new era in Australia’s approach to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. While the previous government shunned the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the Australian Labor […]