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Affirmations and Other Campaigning

The World Court Project is an international citizens' network which is working to publicise and have implemented the 8 July 1996 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice which could find no lawful circumstance for the threat or use of nuclear weapons. The World Court Project is part of Abolition 2000, A Global Network to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.  

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Trident Renewal and international law

January 2007

MPs will soon face a momentous decision. Should Britain continue to deploy nuclear weapons for several more decades? A Government White Paper “The Future of the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Deterrent” was issued in December and a Commons vote will take place in 2007. The White Paper pays scant attention to International Humanitarian Law and treats the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a charter for the Nuclear Weapon States whilst claiming limited UK compliance with its requirements.

We have three months at the most before Trident renewal is debated in Parliament and the sooner MPs are made aware of the legal issues involved, the better. We have prepared two briefings which provide a detailed legal analysis of the White Paper. One is on the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its relation to Trident renewal and the other is on International Humanitarian Law and its relation to Trident renewal.  Both briefings have been checked out with lawyers in various countries. You can send them to your Member of Parliament asking for a response and, if you can, request a meeting to discuss the matter. This may encourage them to read the documents carefully, bearing in mind that they are detailed and closely argued - especially the one dealing with the NPT. If you are in touch with others who might be interested, perhaps you could pass this on to them. Copies are available from the Secretary or you can print them out from the pdf versions below.

We would be very interested in any responses you get as these will help with further action.

The successor to Trident and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
PDF version

The succesor to Trident and International Humanitarian Law
PDF version

 

AFFIRMATION OF FREEDOM FROM NUCLEAR WEAPONS

"I do not accept that nuclear weapons can protect me, my country, or the values I stand for."

Please sign the affirmation
in English
or any one of 17 other languages
(printable pdf files)

Affirmations Everywhere: How Groups Can Use the Affirmations