(B) Treaty comprehensively bans nuclear weapons research, possession, use, deterrence, and all forms of assistance in these prohibited acts
Around 45 states signed, more in following days; ceremony began 8 am EDT; entry into force follows 50th ratification. (http://www.lasg.org)
CND’s call for Britain to join this initiative has been echoed by faith leaders, politicians & trades unionists who have set out why Britain must sign up to the treaty in today’s Guardian and CND’s Kate Hudson has written more on Trump’s speech & the nuclear ban in the Independent.
“The anti-nuclear weapons movement across the world has been working towards this day for decades. The earliest CND placards called on our leaders to ban the bomb and abolish all nuclear weapons. “As a result of that sustained campaign, and tireless efforts from the states that have brought this to fruition, a ban treaty will be launched at the United Nations today. “In these turbulent times – when there is a real possibility of nuclear war – it is very inspiring to see the international community – the majority of world states – taking matters into their own hands to make progress on building a nuclear free world.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-nuclear-treaty-un-pressure-weapons-a7949346.html
(London, 20 September 2017) International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons UK (ICAN UK)
Heads of State and Foreign Ministers from many countries will started the process of joining the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) when it opened for signature by the UN Secretary General António Guterres in New York, 20September
Copies of the Treaty are also available fromICAN
B. Keep up the pressure – No Nuclear War protest
CND (www.cnd.uk.org) writes: In the coming weeks our movement must step up to assert a very different agenda to the one our government is pursuing. Protest: There is a protest in London: No Nuclear War 5pm • Thursday 28th September • Downing Street, London
Other actions you can take Sign our letter to tell Theresa May how to prevent a nuclear war Letters will be delivered to Downing Street on the 28th September as part of a protest. There will be stalls on the 26th (see above). Please write to your MPs and local press.
The Basle Peace Off ice writes: The United States and North Korea should step back from the brink of war in North East Asia, and instead adopt a diplomatic approach to prevent war, according to an appeal sent yesterday to these two governments, and to the UN Security Council, by members and affiliates of the Abolition 2000 global network to eliminate nuclear weapons.
110 organisations and over 200 additional civil society representatives from 44 countries endorsed the appeal. it highlights the increasing risk of war – and possibly even the use of nuclear weapons by miscalculation, accident, or intent, calls for ‘immediate commencement of negotiations to prevent a military conflict from erupting,’ and urges ‘the UN Security Council to prioritise a diplomatic solution to the conflict.’Launching a ‘preventive‘ military attack against North Korea would not resolve the nuclear threat in the region, it would only ‘make matters much worse‘ according to Senator Ed Markey, Co-President of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND), who led a United States bipartisan delegation to Korea and Japan at the end of August.
C.Anti-nuclear weapons campaigners have welcomed a decision by Trades Union Congress 2017 to call on Labour to establish a Shadow Defence Diversification Agency ahead of the next general election. The agency will address the long-term challenges of a shrinking manufacturing sector by “developing an overall national industrial strategy including the possibility of conversion of ‘defence’ capacity”. Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said: “This is very welcome news. Jobs are often presented as an argument in favour of Trident replacement, so it’s essential that there is a plan to secure alternative high-skilled jobs – and to create many more jobs – if a Labour government decides to scrap the present government’s £205 billion scheme
EVENTS: 1. September 21st is International Peace day and September 26 has been chosen by the United Nations to be the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (Nuclear Abolition Day).
On this day, join parliamentarians, mayors, religious communities, youth, artists, activists and others around the world to Reach HIGH for a nuclear-weapon-free world Take a photo of yourself, or you and others, on a high place or reaching high, or lifting a peace sign/object up high; Post your photo on social media with the hastags #ReachHIGH2018, #Sep26dontNukeUs, #abolishnukes, and/or #YouthAgainstNukes. Contact UNFOLD ZERO for a sample peace sign to use in your action. They expect that the High Level session will be able to be watched live on UN Web TV http://webtv.un.org/live-now/watch/high-level-plenary-meeting-to-commemorate-and-promote-the-international-day-for-the-total-elimination-of-nuclear-weapons/5569780423001
3. Nukewatch Public Meetings: Could Scotland Cope with a Nuclear Weapons Convoy Crash?
EDINBURGH: 28 Sept 6pm, Godfrey Thomson Hall, Thompsons Land, St John St, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ Jointly organised with UN House
HELENSBURGH: 2 Oct 7.30pm, EDINBURGH: 6 Oct 7pm, Yes Hub, 31 Lasswade Rd, EH16 6TD jointly organised with Edinburgh Yes Hub
GLASGOW: 10 October, 7pm, STIRLING: 24 Oct 7pm, GLASGOW: 26 Oct 12.30pm,
The Nukewatch report “Unready Scotland” raises sharp questions about the preparedness of the civil authorities in Scotland to respond to a serious incident involving the transport by road of UK nuclear warheads, with its unique combination of high explosives and toxic nuclear materials.
Registration is from 10 am and the meeting starts at 10:30 am.
The meeting should last until about 3 pm and a lunch will be provided. Further details on the SCND website http://www.banthebomb.org
Please bring banners, placards and loud voices! 2nd October – Avoiding Apocalypse – CND public meeting – 5.15pm Greater Manchester CND is hosting a meeting about the global situation and how we can build an alternative to a foreign policy based on nuclear weapons and war. Speakers will include: Dr Kate Hudson (General Secretary of CND), Ann Feltham (Parliamentary Officer at CAAT) and Dr Jenny Clegg (Expert on North East Asia and CND Council Member). Fully details are here STOP PRESS: (a) If you are in Manchester join CND at 6pm on Sunday 24th September at St Paul’s Church on West Street. (b) In a new blog post, Kate Hudson has written on why Labour must support the nuclear ban treaty. (c)You can follow CND’s activities at Labour Party conference on our Twitter @CNDuk – you can join in the conversation about nuclear weapons by using the #Lab17 hashtag when you’re tweeting.
6. A four-day international conference of doctors, lawyers, scientists and nuclear experts from 27 countries concluded in Basel yesterday with the release of the Basel Declaration on human rights and trans-generational crimes resulting from nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. PNND adds Now is the time to start asking questions in your parliament about the 2018 UN HIgh-Level Conference, whether your government will attend at the highest level (Prime Minister or President) and what they hope to achieve at the conference.
7. Peace and Justice Events: (a) Thurs 21Sept: Celebration lunch for International Day of Peace and the birthday of the P&J. For volunteers and anyone interested in getting involved. Peace & Justice Centre. We will provide the soup and bread. (b) 2. Living Nonviolently Toward the Earth 1st October – 1 – 5pm Bridgend Farmhouse. 41 Old Dalkeith Rd. EH16 4TD (c). Walk for Peace Edinburgh. 2 – 5pm. Sunday 15 Oct (Note Date change) . Starting from Terrace of St John’s Church, EH2 4BJ. A gentle, mindful walk, visiting peace places across Edinburgh. With poetry, singing, stories of nonviolence and struggles for peace & disarmament, a dance for peace and a silent section led by members of the Interbeing Community Sangha. All welcome.
Now is the time to start asking questions in your parliament about the 2018 UN HIgh-Level Conference, whether your government will attend at the highest level (Prime Minister or President) and what they hope to achieve at the conference.
edinburgh cnd 