We banned the bomb!

A rare piece of good news in 2020: nuclear weapons are about to become illegal, after the 50th State ratified the #NuclearBan.

Around two thirds of UN member States voted to ban nuclear weapons in 2017.

So what does it mean to “ratify a treaty”? Why is it so important? In short, this treaty is the beginning of the end of the era of nuclear weapons.

First a State must sign the Treaty, showing their intention to be legally bound by it.

84 States have already signed the #NuclearBan treaty.

Then they must hand in a letter to the UN. This is called an “instrument of ratification”, it’s the final stage in the process.

Today the 50th State ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

In a few months’ time a new global norm will enter into force explicitly prohibiting nuclear weapons — the most terrifying and inhumane weapon ever created.

The logic of nuclear deterrence is dangerous.

Too many times we have seen it drag the world to the brink of destruction.

Nuclear weapons are not an inevitable part of the international security architecture.