As Scotland prepares to go to the polls, ICAN and 40+ organisations that have signed a letter to NatWest Group CEO Alison Rose to update the group’s defence sector policy to reflect that nuclear weapons are now prohibited. The call follows widespread condemnation of the UK government’s decision to increase the cap Continue Reading
So what does it mean if nukes are outlawed?
There were celebrations across the world on the 22 January, Entry Into Force Day for the new legislation at the UN. In this election year the impact of the Treaty has huge implications for the democratic deficit in Scotland over its enforced position as unwilling host to the UK’s nuclear Continue Reading
Advance briefing of Dr Rebecca Johnson’s report on the TPNW
Below is the four page advance briefing which precedes and summarizes Dr Rebecca Johnson’s in-depth report on the TPNW in relation to the UK which will be published shortly. Read PDF
THE HUMANITARIAN INITIATIVE AND THE TPNW
Alexander Kmentt is one of the architects of the initiative on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. In this article he gives the rationale for the Humanitarian Initiative and counters criticism of the Treaty. He points out what a step-change the Continue Reading
ICAN in the UK Letter to PM as Nuclear Ban Treaty enters into Force
To: Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, UK Prime Minister 10 Downing St London SW1A 2AA Cc: Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Affairs Cc: Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, Secretary of State for Defence 22 January 2021 Entry into force of the UN Continue Reading
Marking the Progress of The Nuclear Ban Treaty
As far as the Nuke Ban Treaty is concerned the 22nd January is a day for a double celebration. On that day the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) enters into force as international law, binding those states that have ratified to abide by its articles. It’s a Continue Reading
We must maintain the momentum of the Nuclear Ban Treaty
This is a summary of Ambassador Kmentt’s address to Scottish CND’s AGM on 21st November 2020. A recording of the talk is available here. Speaking in a personal capacity Alexander addressed the significance of the TPNW and the arguments against it, and went on to outline how its progress might Continue Reading
Shifting the Norm for Nukes
The Nuke Ban Treaty and the Global Social Norm We are well used to dramatic norm shifts in our recent social history. Recall the low internal visibility, stink and grime of pubs before the smoking ban, or the hahaha from drivers who had managed to drive home utterly guttered without Continue Reading
MSP/MP MODEL APPEAL
NEXT STEPS FOR TPNW –
On 22 January, the states that have ratified the TPNW will be bound by its prohibitions and also its obligations – including universalisation – which means urging all the world’s governments to join. Already, the norm is starting to shift as the Canadian Government, a strong opposer, took an opportunity Continue Reading