Media News | People's Decade for Nuclear Abolition

May 4, 2012

Catastrophic Humanitarian Consequences

International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
After an unusually smooth start, the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) meeting in Vienna was getting interesting. Three primary, linked issues were emerging from the statements and side events in the first week: overcoming the regime's weaknesses with regard to non-proliferation compliance and safeguards (symbolised by references to Iran and North Korea); . . . writes Rebecca Johnson

May 4, 2012

Nuclear-allied Nations Disappoint

International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
The Non-Proliferation Treaty’s “nuclear club” extends beyond the P5 to encompass the entire NATO membership, along with Japan, South Korea and Australia. Nuclear-allied nations give weight and credence to nuclear weapons by participating in extended nuclear deterrence. In many cases, they contribute in practical ways to the maintenance of the US nuclear-war-fighting apparatus, including by hosting nuclear weapons on their soil, writes Tim Wright.

May 4, 2012

Even a Limited Nuclear War Will Would Cause Famine

International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW)
A nuclear war anywhere in the world, using as few as 100 weapons, would disrupt the global climate and agricultural production so severely that the lives of more than a billion people would be at risk. IPPNW's research study Nuclear Famine: A Billion People at Risk – Global Impacts of Limited Nuclear War on Agriculture, Food Supplies, and Human Nutrition explains how even the relatively small nuclear arsenals could cause long lasting, global damage to the Earth’s ecosystems.

Apr. 28, 2012

Asia: Dangers of Extended Nuclear Deterrence

TOWARD A NUCLEAR FREE WORLD | IDN
With India and Pakistan testing nuclear-capable ballistic missiles this April, close on the heels of North Korea's unsuccessful test launch of a long-range rocket, a new report by the Sydney-based Lowy Institute for International Policy says it is Asian strategic mistrust that is holding back nuclear disarmament.

Apr. 25, 2012

Vision of Humanity released the second United States Peace Index

CULTURE OF PEACE INITIATIVE
The 2012 USPI has found that the U.S. is more peaceful now than at any time in the last 20 years; since 1991 there has been a substantial and sustained reduction in direct violence across the United States.

Apr. 19, 2012

UN Chief: Security Council Has Vital Role in Combating Threats of Nuclear Proliferation

UN News Centre
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the vital role played by the Security Council in combating the threat of nuclear proliferation, as the 15-member United Nations body met to assess recent global efforts and progress in the area of disarmament and security.

Apr. 19, 2012

Security Council Reaffirms Need for Compliance with Arms Control, Non-Proliferation Commitments

UN Security Council
Expressing grave concern over the threat of terrorism and the risk of weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands and trafficking networks of non-State actors, the Security Council today reaffirmed the need for all Member States to fully comply with their commitments to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

Apr. 19, 2012

Ending Our Nuclear Nightmare

YES magazine
Fairy tales often begin with the words, “Once upon a time….” For example, “Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess….” In a fairy tale, the hero, perhaps a handsome prince, may kill the dragon and rescue the princess, and they “live happily ever after.” I want to suggest a fairy tale in which there is a beautiful planet and the heroes and heroines who save it are us. So, here is a fairy tale about saving a planet in distress. Our challenge is to bring this fairy tale to life.

Apr. 17, 2012

UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Expresses Support for Global Day of Action on Military Spending

UNODA
The Global Day of Action on Military Spending was launched by an international network led by the International Peace Bureau on 12 April 2011 to highlight the large global military spending. The United Nations, since its inception, has been concerned about the question, and to mark the occasion of the Global Day this year, the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Angela Kane, issued a statement expressing her support and that of the United Nations for the observance.

Apr. 17, 2012

Impassioned Plea for Averting War with Iran

TOWARD A NUCLEAR FREE WORLD | IDN
Pax Christi, the International Catholic Movement for Peace, has made an impassioned plea for averting war with Iran. "Surely such a war would spell worldwide disaster, and it's up to movements like us to send a strong message against military aggression," Pax Christi said in an important document.

Apr. 9, 2012

Niue signs the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

CTBTO
Niue signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) on Apr 9, becoming the 183rd country to do so. Tibor Tóth, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), said: “I welcome Niue to the CTBT family of nations. Niue’s signature of the CTBT consolidates the Pacific region’s firm stand against nuclear testing and closes the door on nuclear testing a bit further.”

Apr. 5, 2012

Disarmament Commission Reaches Agreement on Agenda

UN Disarmament Commission
The United Nations Disarmament Commission reached an agreement on a provisional agenda for the work of its 2012 substantive session today, ending a three-day-long stalemate that some feared would jeopardize the body’s ability to continue its work. The agenda, which drives the work of several working groups that house the Commission’s substantive deliberations, has long been the subject of disagreement among Member States and regional groups.

Mar. 15, 2012

Nuclear Disarmament is People’s Work

YES magazine
Joe Copeland
The people of Hiroshima live with the devastating legacy of nuclear war, juxtaposed with the city’s dedication to working for world peace. A mindful American visitor to Hiroshima can’t avoid asking: Are people in the United States too comfortable with the existence of nuclear weapons? How do you motivate the public to care about the nuclear threat and instill the hope to work toward change?

Apr. 25, 2012

Toward 2015 — calling for a Nuclear Weapons Convention

The Japan Times Online
As a preparatory meeting for the 2015 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference opens in Vienna on April 30, regional tensions are building — in the Middle East with Iran's nuclear development and in Northeast Asia with North Korea's attempt to launch a long-range rocket.

Apr. 4, 2012

Can Brazil Stop Iran?

NYTimes.com
BRAZIL, the saying used to go, is the land of the future — and always will be. But when Brazil's president, Dilma Rousseff, visits the White House next week, she will come as the leader of a country whose future has arrived.