Read on Twitter
On 22 Jan we'll have a legally binding treaty banning nuclear weapons! 
What does this mean for the UK & other nuclear armed states who spent yrs unsuccessfully trying to frustrate this process?
#nuclearban
What does this mean for the UK & other nuclear armed states who spent yrs unsuccessfully trying to frustrate this process?
#nuclearban
The UK clearly needs to start engaging constructively with the #TPNW. Itâs repeated labelling of the @nuclearban as a "divisive initiative" will *itself* deepen divisions & make it harder to reach consensus in other multilateral forums, such as the #NPT.
Sadly, rather than engaging, the UK has boycotted, protested and dismissed the process.
I'll never forget the offensive moment the UK, US and others set-up a lectern outside negotiations & protested while Hiroshima survivors & the pope prepared to speak https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/27/world/americas/un-nuclear-weapons-talks.html
I'll never forget the offensive moment the UK, US and others set-up a lectern outside negotiations & protested while Hiroshima survivors & the pope prepared to speak https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/27/world/americas/un-nuclear-weapons-talks.html
The UKâs failure to participate in the string of multilateral discussions on nuclear disarmament, inc. those mandated by the UN, is irreconcilable with its obligations under Article 6 of the #NPT which requires the UK to participate in negotiations on disarmament in âgood faithâ
By erroneously casting the TPNW as a threat to the NPT rather than embracing the ways it can contribute to disarmament, the UK is guilty of what it accuses TPNW supporters of doing: undermining the NPT.
The ground is moving under the UKâs feet:
internationally there is ever increasing patchwork of states declaring their territories nuclear weapons-free zones & legally req not to assist nuclear weapons programmes
internationally there is ever increasing patchwork of states declaring their territories nuclear weapons-free zones & legally req not to assist nuclear weapons programmes
Across Europe, banks, pension funds sovereign wealth funds are divesting. Within the UK: cities, mayors & local authorities are renouncing support for the nuclear weapons industry & the handling of hazardous materials it necessitates The Scottish Gov endorses the TPNW
Pressure is closing in around the UK and it looks diplomatically isolated. A large majority of countries have made it clear they have lived in fear of nuclear fallout for too long and want action.
#UKforTPNW
#UKforTPNW
In the short term the UK can engage with the TPNW by:
acknowledging the +ve effect it can have on the #NPT
attending Meetings of States Parties
voluntarily implement Article 6 on victim assistance & environmental remediation
Plan for a denuclearised UK security policy
acknowledging the +ve effect it can have on the #NPT attending Meetings of States Parties voluntarily implement Article 6 on victim assistance & environmental remediationPlan for a denuclearised UK security policy
Ultimately the UK should join the #TPNW & accept that using the threat of indiscriminate murder of millions of civilians is not reconcilable with its mantra of being a "global force for good". Nukes shd have no place - legal, moral or otherwise - in UK's future national security.
Massive shout out to all the UK ICAN partners and supporters campaigning tirelessly on the @nuclearban!
#UKforTPNW!
@UNAUK @nuclearinfo @nuclearbanS @feministfp @marissakconway @TridentPlough @Medact @NFLAUKandI @forpeacemaker @article36 @elizabethminor3 @ChristianCND
#UKforTPNW!
@UNAUK @nuclearinfo @nuclearbanS @feministfp @marissakconway @TridentPlough @Medact @NFLAUKandI @forpeacemaker @article36 @elizabethminor3 @ChristianCND
