NAYARIT – A POINT OF NO RETURN CONFERENCE 2014

“In the past, weapons have been eliminated after they have been outlawed. We believe this is the path to achieve a world without nuclear weapons.”

– CHAIR’S SUMMARY, SECOND CONFERENCE ON THE HUMANITARIAN IMPACT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS, NAYARIT, 2014 Top: Campaigners at the ICAN meeting before the Nayarit conference. Left (top): ICAN campaigner Kumar Sundaram from India. Left (bottom): The opening panel at the ICAN campaigners meeting. Right: A Ban All Nukes Generation action at the Nayarit conference. Contents

Towards a ban 5 The humanitarian imperative to abolish nuclear weapons

A point of no return 6 The unstoppable momentum for a ban on nuclear weapons

Who said what 10 Analysis from Reaching Critical Will

ICAN in action 12 Raising public awareness and building political support

BOXES

1 CHAIR’S SUMMARY Time has come for a new diplomatic process 7 2 OPINION Desmond Tutu: Imagine a world without nuclear weapons 8 3 STATEMENT ICAN: It is time to ban nuclear weapons 13 4 OPINION Jody Williams: Taking action to ban nuclear weapons 14 5 STATEMENT Ban All Nukes Generation – ‘Game Changers’ 16 6 STATEMENT ICAN: Highlighting the impact of weapons on people 17 7 ANALYSIS Rebecca Johnson: The humanitarian case for disarmament 18

ABOUT US THANK YOU Published April 2014 The International Campaign to Special thanks to the Norwegian Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) government, Soka Gakkai Contact: [email protected] Photos: Zita Guerra & Gem Romuld is a coalition of non-government International and the Dara organizations in more than 90 Foundation for sponsoring our countries working to achieve a activities in Nayarit. Thanks also world free of nuclear weapons. We to the Mexican government for are urging all governments to start inviting us to facilitate civil society negotiations now on a global treaty participation, and Reaching Critical banning nuclear weapons. Find out Will and Ban All Nukes Generation more at www.icanw.org for their contributions to this report.

Top: Ban All Nukes Generation activists outside the conference venue. Middle (left): Civil society representatives at the conference. Middle (right): ICAN co-chair Dr Tilman Ruff makes an intervention. Bottom: ICAN campaigners meet ahead of the Nayarit conference. EDITORIAL Towards a ban The humanitarian imperative to abolish nuclear weapons

he Second Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons, hosted by the Mexican government in Nayarit in February 2014, marked a turning point in Tglobal efforts to outlaw the most destructive weapons of all. It demonstrated, beyond doubt, that urgent action is needed to avert a catastrophe of unprecedented proportions.

As the global civil society coalition working for a about potential political and legal initiatives to treaty banning nuclear weapons, the International address nuclear weapons, including calls to negotiate Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) a ban treaty. As we did with and Mexico in strongly supports the vision laid out by the the run-up to the first two conferences, we will urge Nayarit conference chair for the initiation of a Austria to be as ambitious as possible and to be open diplomatic process to negotiate a legally binding to discussions on the different initiatives that states instrument against nuclear weapons. By stigmatizing, could pursue to address this threat. delegitimizing and prohibiting these inherently We hope that the conference will be a inhumane devices, we can facilitate and greatly speed further step towards negotiations on a legally binding up their complete eradication from the world. instrument to ban nuclear weapons. We intend to Not every delegation in Nayarit shared the chair’s work hard towards this goal and are confident that a vision for a new process, but ICAN believes that the process for such a treaty is now emerging. political landscape is changing on nuclear weapons and will continue to change such that the more “History shows that legal hesitant states – particularly those that currently rely prohibitions of weapon systems – on nuclear weapons in their defence doctrines – will their possession as well as their use be willing to participate in the negotiations for a ban – facilitate their elimination. Weapons treaty, and ultimately sign and ratify it. that have been outlawed increasingly become seen as illegitimate. They The Vienna conference lose their political status and, along ICAN welcomes Austria’s offer to host a third with it, the money and resources conference on the humanitarian impact of nuclear for their production, modernization, weapons later in 2014. We look forward to hearing proliferation and perpetuation.” more about Austria’s plans, and are ready to play a coordinating role for civil society, just as we did – ICAN STATEMENT, NAYARIT CONFERENCE in Nayarit and at the first conference on this topic in Oslo in March 2013. The Vienna conference As the Nayarit conference clearly demonstrated, is framed as a continuation of the discussions every day without a nuclear detonation is a lucky on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons, day. There is an urgent humanitarian imperative to including the risk of a detonation. We welcome this outlaw and eliminate nuclear weapons before they approach, which has been successful in changing are ever used again – and every nation has a right the conversation about nuclear weapons. This and responsibility to be part of this effort. It is time reframing of the debate has created space for to correct the anomaly that nuclear weapons are the greater engagement from civil society, international only weapons of mass destruction not yet prohibited organizations and states. At the same time, we note by an international convention. Doing so is a the appetite among many states for discussions necessary step towards their total elimination. n

5 OVERVIEW A point of no return The unstoppable momentum for a ban on nuclear weapons

ne hundred and forty-six governments attended the Nayarit conference, reflecting the deep global concern about the ongoing threat of nuclear weapons and the Ostrong desire for greater progress towards nuclear abolition. Nayarit succeeded in putting the idea a treaty banning nuclear weapons firmly on the international agenda.

Catastrophic effects SUMMARY Delegates heard from medical experts, United n Delegates from 146 governments Nations agencies, the international Red Cross attended the Nayarit conference movement and former military officials, who all n 65 governments delivered national reinforced the view that the mere possession and statements at the conference deployment of nuclear weapons is reckless and n A majority of the statements called for a unsanctionable. They analysed the likely impact treaty banning nuclear weapons of nuclear detonations on economic and social n The Red Cross and several UN agencies took part in the discussions infrastructure, public health, the climate and n Austria announced a follow-up agriculture, concluding that the effects of even a conference in the latter half of 2014 single nuclear weapon detonation – let alone a full- n The Mexican chair declared the Nayarit scale nuclear exchange – would be catastrophic. conference “a point of no return” This is an issue of “deep concern shared by n He said the “time has come to initiate a all”, said the Mexican chair, noting that the effects diplomatic process” for a ban of a nuclear detonation “are not constrained by national borders”. He extracted the following factual conclusions from the expert presentations: The Second Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons underscored the urgent n Beyond the immediate death and destruction need for a new diplomatic process to outlaw and caused by a nuclear detonation, socio- eliminate nuclear weapons. Like the Oslo conference economic development would be hampered before it, the Nayarit conference laid out – in stark and the environment damaged. Suffering and shocking detail – the humanitarian case for would be widespread, with the poor and concerted global action by states, international vulnerable being the most severely affected. organizations and civil society to prevent any use n The reconstruction of infrastructure and the of nuclear weapons. In closing the conference, the regeneration of economic activities would take Mexican chair described Nayarit as “a point of no several decades, causing profound social and return”, and signalled that a new diplomatic process political harm. to prohibit nuclear weapons is imminent. n Radiation exposure could result in short- and In addition to exploring the immediate and long-term negative effects in every organ of long-term impacts nuclear detonations, the Nayarit the human body and would increase cancer conference assessed the risk of nuclear weapons risks and future hereditary pathologies. use – whether by accident, miscalculation or intent. n Today the risk of nuclear weapons use Experts drew attention to the many known instances is growing globally as a consequence of of the near use of nuclear weapons, when the fate proliferation, the vulnerability of nuclear of entire populations had hung on a razor’s edge. command and control networks to cyber-

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Chair’s summary: Time has come for a new diplomatic process

ayarit is a point of no return,” “Ndeclared Juan Manuel Gómez Robledo, Mexico’s vice- minister for multilateral affairs and human rights, delivering the chair’s summary as he closed the Nayarit conference. “The broad-based and comprehensive discussions on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons should lead to the commitment of states and civil society to reach new international standards and norms, through a legally binding instrument.” He noted that, in the past, weapons have been eliminated after they have been outlawed: “We believe this is the path to achieve a world without nuclear weapons.” Pursuing a treaty prohibition substantive framework, making humanitarian impact of nuclear on nuclear weapons, he said, is the humanitarian impact of weapons, building on the outcomes consistent with states’ obligations nuclear weapons the essence of of the Oslo conference hosted by under international law, including disarmament efforts.” The 70th Norway in March 2013. “It is the those derived from the Non- anniversary of the Hiroshima and chair’s perception that awareness of Proliferation Treaty and common Nagasaki attacks – to be marked in the humanitarian impact of nuclear article 1 of the Geneva Conventions. August 2015 – is “the appropriate weapons is already changing the milestone to achieve our goal”. hearts and minds worldwide of A new diplomatic process The chair concluded that the those engaging in discussions “It is the view of the chair that the “broad and active participation of concerning nuclear weapons.” He Nayarit conference has shown states and civil society reflects the welcomed Austria’s offer to host a that time has come to initiate a global concern regarding the effects third conference on the humanitarian diplomatic process conducive to of nuclear weapons, as well as the impact of nuclear weapons, which this goal,” he said, alluding to a increasing recognition that this is had received “great support treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons. an issue of the utmost importance from participants”. The Vienna “Our belief is that this process to all peoples in the world”. He conference will be an opportunity should comprise a specific time said that the Nayarit conference “to deepen the momentum, anchor frame, the definition of the most had succeeded in facilitating an these conclusions and take them appropriate fora, and a clear and informed discussion about the forward”.

attacks and to human error, and potential Sixty-five governments delivered national access to nuclear weapons by non-state actors, statements during the conference, drawing these and in particular terrorist groups. other factual conclusions, and urging greater political n As more countries deploy more nuclear action to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. weapons on higher levels of combat readiness, A majority of the national statements endorsed the risks of accidental, mistaken, unauthorized the specific proposal for a treaty banning nuclear or intentional use grow significantly. weapons as a necessary step towards elimination. n It is a fact that no state or international The vice-president of the International Committee organization has the capacity to address or of the Red Cross, Christine Beerli, also called for a provide the short- and long-term humanitarian new legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear assistance and protection needed in the case weapons. ICAN campaigner Ray Acheson said that of a nuclear weapon explosion. Moreover, nuclear-free states must have the courage to lead it would not be possible to establish such efforts for a ban treaty. “Show that leadership and capacities, even if attempted. you will have the support of civil society,” she said.

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Opinion: Imagine a world without nuclear weapons

Desmond Tutu

e must vociferously challenge Wthe perceived entitlement of a select few nations to possess nuclear bombs. As Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, put it in January of last year: “There are no right hands for wrong weapons.” But how do we uproot the discriminatory order? How do we end the minority rule? In our decades-long fight against apartheid in , we depended upon the combination of an irrepressible domestic groundswell of popular opposition to the regime and intense and sustained pressure from the international community. The same is needed now in the movement to abolish nuclear weapons. This week, in the Mexican only a much-needed reminder not the nuclear-armed nations state of Nayarit, diplomats from of what nuclear weapons do are prepared to join them. Why three-quarters of all nations are to humans beings – something should these weapons, whose gathered to discuss the devastating seldom mentioned in arms control effects are the most grievous of humanitarian impact of nuclear discussions – but also a vital chance all, remain the only weapons of detonations. They will address the for the international community mass destruction not expressly inability of emergency workers to to chart a new course. It is high prohibited under international law? provide relief to the wounded; the time for the nuclear-free nations By stigmatizing the bomb – as widespread dispersal of radiation; of the world, constituting the well as those who possess it – we the lofting of millions of tonnes of overwhelming majority, to work can build tremendous pressure for soot from firestorms high into the together to exert their extraordinary disarmament. upper troposphere; the collapse collective influence. of global agriculture from lack of Without delay, they should Desmond Tutu, who won the sunlight and rainfall; the onset of embark on a process to negotiate Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, is an famine and disease on a scale never a global treaty banning the use, ICAN supporter. This is an excerpt before witnessed. manufacture and possession of from an article published by CNN The Nayarit conference is not nuclear weapons – whether or International on 13 February 2014.

Survivors’ perspective weapons we have a moral obligation to prohibit.” In the opening session of the Nayarit conference, She expressed her hope “that this new movement to the testimonies of atomic bomb survivors from ban nuclear weapons will finally lead us to a nuclear- Japan – known as hibakusha – gave a human face to weapon-free world”. the catastrophic harm caused by nuclear weapons. The conference also heard accounts from Toshiki Yasuaki Yamashita, a Japanese man now living in Fujimori, a Hiroshima survivor, on the long-term Mexico, spoke of the horrific scenes following the effects of a nuclear weapon detonation, and Terumi atomic destruction of Nagasaki on 9 August 1945. Tanaka, a Nagasaki survivor, on the social and Setsuko Thurlow, a survivor of the Hiroshima psychological impacts. Masaki Koyanagi, whose blast on 6 August, described the hardship she has grandparents survived the Nagasaki bombing, spoke endured over many years, and implored delegates of the inter-generational harm. “In order for the to take urgent action. “We need a new path,” she deaths of the victims not to be in vain,” she said, said, “one that recognizes the utterly unacceptable “I believe I have the duty to tell the world the truth humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons – about the atomic bomb.”

8 The devastating impact of nuclear weapons efforts require an urgent through their testing was also highlighted in Nayarit. paradigm shift, not the least in light of the danger of Jeban Riklon, a senator from the Marshall Islands, further nuclear weapons proliferation.” reported on the long-term health and environmental He highlighted new research showing that even consequences of US nuclear testing on his country. a limited regional nuclear conflict would cause He was two years old at the time of the infamous devastating global consequences for health, food “Bravo” hydrogen bomb test, which dumped high- security, the climate, the economy and the social level radioactive fallout onto his home atoll of order much beyond the immediate humanitarian Rongelap in 1954. Six decades later, the atoll remains emergencies. “This danger is by no means abstract. contaminated and unsafe for habitation. It is a Sword of Damocles above our heads and should be at the centre of international efforts.” “The time has come for non-nuclear- He warned of the “considerable risk” of a nuclear weapon states and civil society to explosion by accident, misjudgement or terrorism, initiate a nuclear weapons ban for the and argued that reliance on nuclear weapons is an sake of humanity.” “outdated” approach to security. “A concept that is based on the total destruction of the planet should – SETSUKO THURLOW, HIROSHIMA SURVIVOR have no place in the 21st century,” he said. Austria believes that the elimination of nuclear weapons can only be achieved through their “international stigmatization”. Speaking at the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on nuclear disarmament in September 2013, the Austrian president, Heinz Fischer, said: “Nuclear weapons should be stigmatized, banned and eliminated before they abolish us.” ICAN will call on states attending the Vienna

conference to commit to starting work on a new In addition to the Marshall Islands, the governments legal instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons. Nadja of Algeria, Belarus, Kiribati, Kazakhstan, New Schmidt, an ICAN campaigner in Austria, responded Zealand and Ukraine all delivered statements to the foreign minister’s announcement: “This is underscoring the staggering and ongoing toll of an opportunity for Austria to provide important nuclear testing on their regions. global leadership and bring the world a step closer Jesús Martínez, an ICAN campaigner from El to genuine security in a world free of all weapons of Salvador who lost both legs to a land mine, drew mass destruction.” parallels between the processes to ban land mines and cluster munitions and the emerging process to “Nuclear weapons are not only a ban nuclear weapons. “States have a responsibility to permanent threat to all humankind, act and reach a solution to this problem,” he said. but also a relic of the cold war that we must finally overcome.” The Austrian announcement

On the opening day of the Nayarit conference, the – , AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER Austrian foreign minister, Sebastian Kurz, issued a press statement announcing his intention to host She said that negotiating a treaty to ban nuclear a third conference on the humanitarian impact weapons would be a defining moment of the 21st of nuclear weapons in the latter part of 2014. century. “We applaud our foreign minister’s initiative Discussions there are expected to focus on what and call for decisive action to launch this process must be done to ensure that nuclear weapons are when he hosts the world’s nations in Vienna later never used again. “Nuclear weapons are not only a this year.” ICAN plans to hold a civil society forum permanent threat to all humankind, but also a relic in conjunction with the government conference to of the cold war that we must finally overcome,” raise public awareness about the threat of nuclear Mr Kurz said in the statement. “The international weapons and the urgent need for a ban. n

9 WHO SAID WHAT IN NAYARIT Analysis from Reaching Critical Will

s with the Oslo conference and overcoming some of the inertia abolish them from Earth. Malawi Abefore it, Nayarit exposed undermining the elimination of nuclear stated that the conferences in nuclear weapons as dangerous and weapons. History shows that legal Nayarit and Oslo have cemented the destructive. The evidence presented prohibitions of weapon systems – conviction among states that nuclear by UN agencies, academics, former their possession as well as their use weapons must be banned once and military officials and civil society – facilitate their elimination. Weapons for all and that it is the duty of states organizations clearly revealed that the that have been outlawed increasingly to start the negotiations on a ban. continued possession and deployment become seen as illegitimate. Kiribati on behalf of five other of nuclear weapons is a reckless and Delegations including Chile, Pacific island states –Samoa , Tuvalu, unsanctionable gamble with the future Costa Rica, Cuba, the , Iran, the Marshall Islands, Tonga and of humanity and the planet. Jordan, Kiribati, Malaysia, Malawi, the Papua New Guinea – stated that “It seems clear to us that inevitable Marshall Islands, Mexico, Mongolia, a treaty banning nuclear weapons and unavoidable policy implications Morocco, Nigeria, Palestine, Papua is long overdue. The island states arise from what we now know about New Guinea, Samoa, Tanzania, Tonga, appealed to all non-nuclear-weapon the extent of the risks involved,” Tuvalu and Zambia – supported by the states not to sit back and wait for argued the Irish delegation. In this International Committee of the Red the nuclear-armed states to lead the vein, most governments taking the Cross – explicitly called for a ban on way but instead to set the agenda floor during the conference argued nuclear weapons. for concrete steps towards the that it now time to examine ways Mexico’s foreign minister, Dr José negotiation of a legally binding treaty. forward that, as ’s Antonio Meade Kuribreña, led the The Holy See said it is high time representative said, do not simply rely charge, stating that nuclear weapons to take the next steps and use the on implementation of the NPT or a must be banned and the world’s momentum of the Nayarit conference hope of compliance with international safety cannot rely on weapons of to launch a plan of action towards the humanitarian law. mass destruction. Costa Rica called development of an international norm The Thai representative described for the negotiation of an instrument to and legal ban on nuclear weapons for the Mexico conference as a call to ban nuclear weapons, emphasizing the benefit of humanity. action to achieve a world free of that the humanitarian focus on the Iran called for the development of nuclear weapons. From civil society’s impact of nuclear weapons was the a road map and action plan with the perspective, the conferences in Oslo right approach to spearhead our objective of banning nuclear weapons, and Nayarit have created our best efforts. Morocco stated that the next which are an existential threat that opportunity to start the process phase of political action to obtain cannot be tolerated. Cuba laid out to achieve this world. States must “the noble goal of banning nuclear five concrete steps in a process embrace this opportunity when they weapons” is now needed. towards an international ban and the meet in Vienna later this year. Zambia made a strong appeal total eradication of nuclear weapons. We face a daily risk that a nuclear for a ban on the use, production and Chile likewise said nuclear weapons weapon will be detonated, whether stockpiling of nuclear weapons, saying should be banned in a legally binding by accident, miscalculation or design. that a comprehensive ban had “gained instrument and urged all countries to Thus the prohibition and elimination grip” in the international system over share this vision. of nuclear weapons is an imperative the past couple of years. A ban is that should be approached with the the preferred first step towards the NEW MOMENTUM utmost urgency. The momentum elimination of nuclear weapons, it There was overwhelming support created by the Austrian government’s said. Palestine gave its support for for Austria’s announcement to hold announcement and the Mexican the adoption of a blueprint in Nayarit the next meeting of what is now chair’s summary of the Nayarit with the objective of banning nuclear clearly established as an international conference must be carried forward weapons and eliminating them within diplomatic process on nuclear with conviction and courage. a concrete time frame. weapons. Over 40 delegations Jordan said it joined the call for expressed their appreciation of THE BAN PROPOSAL an early start of negotiations on a Austria’s offer and their support for the For many governments attending legally binding instrument for a ban on continuation of the process. the conference, the way forward nuclear weapons. Mongolia noted a The sense of momentum is a ban on nuclear weapons. And growing trend to ban nuclear weapons established in Nayarit was palpable despite the concerns of some of the was under way and expressed its for all present. Many delegations, nuclear-dependent governments, hope that the upcoming conference including Morocco, Colombia, Cuba, a treaty banning nuclear weapons in Austria would lead to concrete , Iran, Palestine, Ethiopia, Peru, should not be seen as antagonistic talks on a ban. Tanzania and Nigeria Kiribati on behalf of the Pacific island towards nuclear-armed states. It expressed concern that there is no states, New Zealand, Cote d’Ivoire, would constitute a coherent approach international treaty banning these Egypt, Bhutan, Jamaica and Comoros to setting the conditions and weapons of mass destruction and emphasized that Nayarit was a framework for nuclear disarmament stressed the absolute necessity to milestone on a clear path towards the

10 WHO SAID WHAT IN NAYARIT Analysis from Reaching Critical Will

elimination of nuclear weapons. humanitarian consequences of nuclear QUOTES FROM STATEMENTS Many referred to Nayarit and the weapons, which not only allows but coming meeting in Vienna as a road even demands the participation of all “The discussions here should map, plan of action, blueprint, and countries in the world, these countries lead us all to the same concrete steps in a process forward. are indicating a growing willingness to conclusion: that nuclear Bhutan even called the conferences take action to prevent a humanitarian weapons must be outlawed and on the humanitarian impacts of catastrophe. eliminated without delay.” nuclear weapons an “Oslo process”. – Pacific Island states The feeling of progress was tangible. AGAINST THE TIDE There were, however, a few In stark contrast to the evidence “This conference in Nayarit detractors, mainly states relying on presented throughout the conference, strengthens further our resolve nuclear weapons in their military a few delegations such as Canada, to support the growing trend to doctrines’ conception of security, Pakistan, India, the Netherlands ban nuclear weapons.” against the overwhelming tide of and Germany chose to highlight – Mongolia support for action to rid the world the security implications of nuclear of these weapons. Clearly on the weapons. Germany pointed out the “The idea of a comprehensive ban defensive, Pakistan, Finland, central role that nuclear weapons on nuclear weapons has gained Australia, Spain, Turkey, Canada, have in the international community grip in the multilateral system Germany, the Netherlands, India, and argued that nuclear weapons had over the past couple of years.” the Czech Republic and Hungary greatly contributed to keeping peace – Zambia expressed skepticism about the during the cold war. Together with possibility of a ban on nuclear Australia, Germany also expressed “Given the catastrophic weapons. The delegations of Australia, worry about “antagonizing” those with consequences of the use of Canada and Germany argued that nuclear weapons. nuclear weapons, we must work “simply banning nuclear weapons” These kinds of arguments to create a new international will not guarantee the elimination of seemed particularly hollow against treaty explicitly prohibiting their nuclear weapons. Yet the path they the testimonies of countries that use and possession.” prefer – pressing for implementation have experienced the disastrous – Chile of the NPT action plan from 2010, humanitarian impact of nuclear continuing to promote the “step- weapons, such as the Marshall “The next phase of the by-step” approach to nuclear Islands, Kazakhstan, Belarus, New humanitarian discussion should disarmament, and insisting on the Zealand, Ukraine and Algeria. These involve an assessment of what participation of nuclear-armed states presented harrowing statistics we, policymakers, can do to states – also does not guarantee the on the extent of the impacts of nuclear prevent catastrophe.” elimination of nuclear weapons. In testing on and near their territories, – Ireland fact, it has failed to achieve this goal. causing severe ecological, economic Incremental steps that have been and public health impacts, and untold “Let us use the momentum of agreed to over the past 20 years have suffering to civilians. this conference to launch a not been implemented and the actions The most poignant testimonies, programme of action to begin of some nuclear-armed states have however, came from fivehibakusha , the process of developing a actually resulted in steps backwards. survivors of the atomic bombings global ethical norm and a legal Under prevailing domestic and of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who ban on all nuclear weapons.” international political circumstances, told their stories of the nightmarish – Holy See the nuclear-armed states are unlikely devastation inflicted on those to support any serious efforts towards cities and their inhabitants. Their “The growing support on this the prohibition and elimination of presence was a powerful reminder issue must now be translated nuclear weapons in the foreseeable of the urgency and overwhelming into meaningful action towards future. This is why more governments importance of the need to ensure that a treaty to outlaw and eliminate than ever have expressed interest in these weapons are never used again. nuclear weapons.” trying something new. Rather than – Malaysia repeating the same approach to try to force a grand, comprehensive step- “Our conviction is clear: nuclear by-step solution, nuclear-weapon-free weapons must never be used states are calling for a ban on nuclear again and the time has come weapons, which overcomes the This is an abridged version of a report for states to fulfil their existing dilemma posed by placing the onus prepared by Ray Acheson, Beatrice obligations and prohibit and on the nuclear-armed states to lead Fihn and Katherine Harrison for eliminate them once and for all.” a process for nuclear disarmament. Reaching Critical Will. The full report is – ICRC and IFRC Emboldened by the discourse on the at www.reachingcriticalwill.org

11 CIVIL SOCIETY ICAN in action Raising public awareness and building political support

s the designated civil society partner for the Nayarit conference, ICAN facilitated the participation of a diverse range of non-government organizations from across Athe globe – to enhance understanding of the catastrophic humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and to convey the growing public demand for negotiations on a ban.

Media and communications SUMMARY ICAN voices featured prominently in much of n 137 campaigners from 83 organizations the commentary and reporting on the Nayarit and 44 countries participated conference, particularly in Latin American media. n ICAN encouraged governments to call Our opinion articles ran on the websites of CNN for a treaty banning nuclear weapons International, The Guardian and The Huffington n ICAN’s message featured in national and Post, as well as in some national newspapers. international media coverage Through television, radio and print interviews, we conveyed the strong public opposition to nuclear weapons and the growing support for negotiations In the lead-up to the Nayarit conference, ICAN on a ban. A Forbes magazine columnist wrote: “The campaigners reached out to all governments to proposal from civil society driven by ICAN deserves encourage them to participate in the conference and to be supported like any other that leads us to to call for negotiations on a treaty banning nuclear correct the failures of the existing regime.” weapons. We met with foreign ministry officials in The campaign also generated its own media for capital cities, wrote to parliamentarians, organized the conference, including a short video shown to all public forums and published materials setting out government delegates, which reinforced our message the humanitarian case for a ban. that a ban is the next vital step towards elimination. In the two days prior to the conference, we A new interactive ICAN website at goodbyenuk.es brought together 137 civil society representatives featured video interviews laying out the arguments from 83 organizations for a “campaigners meeting” for a ban, and photos of the events in Nayarit were in Nayarit – to prepare ourselves for the coming days uploaded in real time to our Flickr page. and to devise longer-term strategies for building the Throughout the conference, we provided rapid momentum, globally and regionally, for negotiations social media coverage, responding to government on a ban. Campaigners came from 44 countries: statements and showcasing the work of our Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Brazil, campaigners. ICAN posts on Twitter, Facebook, Burundi, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Instagram and Vimeo reached more than half a El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, , Germany, million people. Our campaign was highly visible at Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, the conference – with ICAN tote bags, lapel pins, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, temporary tattoos and printed materials. the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, the Philippines, We also launched a “campaigners kit” providing Romania, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Sweden, practical ideas for individuals and organizations Switzerland, Togo, Turkey, the , the around the world to raise public awareness and , Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe. inspire, persuade and pressure their governments ICAN was pleased to sponsor the participation of to take action ahead of the Vienna conference and many campaigners from developing countries. beyond to realize a nuclear-weapon-free world. n

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Statement: It is time to ban nuclear weapons

Ray Acheson deliberate use of nuclear weapons The humanitarian agenda – in many cases within minutes of Unlike the other weapons of e have been given over the an order being given. The risk of mass destruction – chemical and Wpast two days a chilling conflict between states possessing biological weapons – nuclear reminder of what nuclear weapons nuclear weapons is a direct weapons are not yet subject to an are, and what they do. They do not consequence of possession and of explicit legal prohibition. Now is the bring security. They bring death and nuclear deterrence relationships. time to address this anomaly, which destruction on a scale that cannot While nuclear weapons have not has been allowed to persist for far be justified for any reason. The claim been used in acts of war since the too long. Those countries that have by some states that they continue United States dropped two atomic renounced nuclear weapons – the to need these weapons to deter bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki overwhelming majority – have made their adversaries has been exposed in 1945, they have nevertheless the right decision for the security of by the evidence presented at this created health and environmental their countries and their populations conference and in Oslo last year catastrophes around the world. and for the survival of life on Earth. as a reckless and unsanctionable Testing in the Pacific, Kazakhstan, Those same countries have gamble with our future. the United States, Africa, South Asia the opportunity now to advance The immediate effects of even a and has caused profound not only the humanitarian agenda single nuclear weapon detonation damage to the environment and but also our human future by are shocking and overwhelming. human health. negotiating a treaty banning nuclear Its destructive force will cause weapons. We would welcome the nightmarish scenes of death and participation of the nuclear-armed despair. One detonation will cause states. But most of them have tens of thousands of casualties and demonstrated their unwillingness to inflict immediate and irreversible constructively engage let alone lead damage to infrastructure, industry, in such a process. livelihoods and human lives. The History shows that legal effects will persist over time, prohibitions of weapon systems devastating human health, the – their possession as well as their environment and our economies for use – facilitate their elimination. years to come. These impacts will Weapons that have been outlawed wreak havoc with food production increasingly become seen as and displace entire populations. As illegitimate. They lose their political we have heard here from scientists status and, along with it, the money and physicians, the use of less and resources for their production, than 1 per cent of existing arsenals modernization, proliferation and against cities would have extreme perpetuation. and long-lasting consequences For us, the announcement of the for the Earth’s climate and for next meeting in Vienna indicates a agriculture. This would put billions Nuclear weapons also undermine willingness among governments to of lives in jeopardy. development and the achievement move from a discussion about the of global economic and social humanitarian impacts of nuclear An unacceptable risk equality. The maintenance and weapons to a discussion about what The existence of nuclear weapons modernization of nuclear weapons must be done to make sure they can generates great risk. There have diverts vast and essential resources never be used again. been numerous instances where needed to address real human Ridding the world of nuclear the incidence of an accidental needs, including the Millennium weapons will take courage. It will nuclear detonation has hung on a Development Goals. take leadership by states free razor’s edge. And we have recently Despite all this evidence about of nuclear weapons. Show that heard a number of reports of the the horror, instability and injustice leadership and you will have the declining operational atmosphere generated by nuclear weapons, support of civil society. It is time. It and disturbing behaviour of those in some insist that we will not see is time to change the status quo. It supposed “command and control” their elimination in our lifetime. That is time to ban nuclear weapons. of these arsenals. depends on whether we are willing Such accidents are only made to accept the risk we live with today. Ray Acheson is a member of ICAN’s possible, however, because the Unless we act, nuclear weapons will international steering group and the military doctrines of the nuclear- be used – by accident, design or director of Reaching Critical Will. armed states and some of their miscalculation. The only questions This statement was delivered in allies require preparations for the are when, where and how many. Nayarit on behalf of ICAN.

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Opinion: Taking action to ban nuclear weapons

Jody Williams The people of Japan and all the victims of nuclear testing already hen one thinks of a sunny know all of this: generations after WMexican resort, the Hiroshima and Nagasaki, they are devastation of nuclear weapons is still living with the consequences of not usually what comes to mind. Yet the nuclear bombs. this week in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, The governments, international that is exactly what Mexico’s organizations and research institutes minister of foreign affairs will be gathered this week in Mexico have asking experts from international a huge task ahead of them – to lay organizations, government and the groundwork for a new treaty to research institutes to do: focus on outlaw and finally eliminate these the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons. They will need our help. weapons. Or, more to the point, to There is much work to be done to focus on the very real horror that convince the many governments was unleashed on the people of that are not yet on board. Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945: It can be done, but will take the communities literally blown apart, continued drive and commitment hundreds of thousands of people of civil society across the world dead in their tracks or dying slow pushing governments to do the and painful deaths. right thing. It will also take the But of course it doesn’t stop voice of millions of individual with death and destruction. With citizens expressing their strong decades of research behind us, we opposition to nuclear weapons at now know that there are long-term every opportunity possible to their environmental, developmental and own governments. The actions health consequences to nuclear “There is an opportunity of ordinary people do make a weapons as well. Sadly, though, to take the discussions difference, and will help build the in a world that has for many years political momentum in favour of a now focused on “state security” about the humanitarian new global treaty. and fighting “terrorism”, it hasn’t impact of nuclear Some – many, in truth – will claim been easy to get governments to weapons and make that a ban on nuclear weapons make the high humanitarian cost will never happen, that it is not of nuclear weapons the starting them the basis for a possible. I was told the same while point for action to ban and eliminate treaty to ban nuclear leading the International Campaign them. But that is changing. weapons. Let’s not to Ban Landmines. In 1997 we proved them wrong and the Mine

From Norway to Mexico squander this moment.” Ban Treaty was born. That treaty is Last March, the Norwegian the product of what happens when government hosted a meeting world’s most destructive weapon non-governmental organizations, in Oslo of 128 governments, UN and take some concrete action international organizations, UN agencies, international organizations and bring about a long overdue agencies and governments all unite and civil society. By the end of that international ban. While not exactly for one purpose: to create a more meeting, the group had concluded capturing the headlines, this second peaceful world. that no international response plan conference on the humanitarian This week in Mexico, there is an could ever adequately deal with impact of nuclear weapons may opportunity to take the discussions a nuclear detonation. As a logical have a profound impact on our about the humanitarian impact of extension of that conclusion, collective future. nuclear weapons and make them many states then expressed What we are seeing is a shift the basis for a treaty to ban nuclear their recognition of a shared away from the thinking that nuclear weapons. Let’s not squander this responsibility to act to prevent any weapons should be glorified as the moment. It’s time to relegate nuclear accidental or intentional use of guarantors of national security, or weapons to the dust bin of history. these weapons of mass suffering. symbols of international power and And they agreed to come together prestige. They are now starting to Jody Williams, a Nobel laureate, is again, this time in Mexico. be recognized by our governments chair of the Nobel Women’s Initiative This is a historic first: 146 to be what they are: instruments and an ICAN supporter. This article countries determined to consider of irreversible human and was published by the Huffington the many far-ranging impacts of the environmental destruction. Post on 11 February 2014.

14 Top: Ban All Nukes Generation activists hand out flowers to mark Valentine’s Day and thank Nayarit participants. Bottom: A group discussion among ICAN campaigners from nuclear “umbrella” states. BOX 5

Statement: Ban All Nukes Generation – ‘Game Changers’

Maral Hassanshahi and Sofia understand why nukes have yet be the victims of nuclear weapons. Miranda Cogollos to be banned. States must take We have the responsibility to serve responsibility for preventing the use as a bridge between our parents’, e are the participants of the of nuclear weapons. We have the grandparents’ and children’s W“Game Changers” project right to say no to nuclear weapons generations. We desperately long organized by the Ban All Nukes because we are the generation who for and dream of a world where our Generation. We are from Australia, were born after nuclear weapons children and grandchildren live free Austria, Colombia, Costa Rica, were made by our parents’ and from the threat of nuclear weapons. Denmark, Germany, Japan, Kenya, grandparents’ generations. Now is the time for us all to be game Iran, Italy, South Korea, Switzerland We, the youth, do not want to changers. Gracias! and the United States. We are thrilled that Mexico is hosting this important conference and is giving civil society an opportunity to voice our views on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons. We have a message for you. At the beginning of the conference, we were deeply touched by the testimonies from the hibakusha. Their testimonies have renewed our determination to eliminate nuclear weapons once and for all. We believe that nuclear weapons should never be used again under any circumstances. Everything should be done to reduce the risk of their use. We further contend that the humanitarian imperative should be the motor for all nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation measures. We simply cannot

Sofia Miranda Cogollos of Colombia and Maral Hassanshahi of Iran.

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Statement: Highlighting the impact of weapons on people

Jesús Martínez we know what we want. We want that the states present take into what Latin America has already account the responsibility to act and y name is Jesús Martínez, achieved: the prohibition of nuclear arrive at a solution to this problem. Mand I am from El Salvador. weapons. I am an activist who has We salute Austria for promoting As a survivor of an indiscriminate worked for a ban on anti-personnel the next follow-up meeting to this, weapon that is now prohibited, mines and cluster munitions, and for and for maintaining the humanitarian and as part of ICAN, I address you control of the arms trade. approach to nuclear disarmament. to share some reflections on the We will continue to be very attentive, humanitarian perspective of nuclear “It is essential that and we will accompany and support disarmament. It is my pleasure to do them in this task. It is essential that so today, on the anniversary of the we start, from here, we start, from here, to organize the Treaty of Tlatelolco, which made this to organize the route route to a ban. We must not look for part of the world the first nuclear- to a ban. We must a plan that takes us to yet another weapon-free zone. look for a path where plan, but we must look for a path Understanding the risk posed where we can walk together to the by nuclear weapons to our global we can walk together success we desire: the banning of society, Mexico, in organizing this to the success we all nuclear weapons once and for all. conference, has taken a historic desire: the banning of As a victim of land mines, I step to lay the foundations for feel obliged to call on you to take something that is much greater. all nuclear weapons concrete actions, making the

Whenever I hear the testimonies once and for all.” most of the momentum of this of the hibakusha, I cannot help conference. Despite the complexity remembering every second that It is beyond my understanding of this issue, negotiations must elapsed when I lost my legs why the greatest threat of all – that begin as soon as possible. Let because of an anti-personnel mine. of nuclear weapons – has not us avoid having to regret the I hope that the presence of these yet been addressed through a humanitarian consequences. victims compels us to maintain legally binding treaty banning their the humanitarian approach in this existence. Being clear on this global Jesús Martínez is director of the conference and future endeavours. objective and after having shown Network of Survivors and Persons After the discussions in Oslo and consensus on the humanitarian with Disabilities. This statement was now in Nayarit, as a global society impact of nuclear weapons, I hope delivered on behalf of ICAN.

Jesús Martínez. Hiroshima survivor Setsuko Thurlow and Nagasaki survivor Yasuaki Yamashita.

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Analysis: The humanitarian case for disarmament

Rebecca Johnson of the 66-member Conference on want to change the terms of Disarmament to carry forward any engagement? he Nayarit conference was the substantive negotiations since The humanitarian approach Tsecond multilateral meeting 1996, it is ridiculous to suggest that addresses nuclear weapons from on what is being dubbed the discussions by 146 governments the perspective and concerns of “humanitarian initiative” – in which a constitute a distraction. everyone’s security. The first step large cross-regional group of states While some states attending the in that approach is to convince have been arguing for accelerated Nayarit conference are not party governments that the threats and efforts to achieve universal nuclear to the NPT, and many more are risks are not just a private worry disarmament and non-proliferation, not members of the Conference of nuclear-wielding nations, but a on the grounds that the “global on Disarmament, the conference real and serious problem for public and long-term consequences of chair, Mexico’s vice-minister for health, humanitarian assistance, the any nuclear detonation” transcend multilateral affairs and human rights world economy, development, the national borders. Hence, nuclear Juan Manuel Gómez Robledo, environment, climate change and disarmament is an urgent security noted that progress on disarmament worldwide food security. issue that must be addressed by all. and non-proliferation comes about The evidence discussed in from actions on multiple fronts – An approach here to stay Nayarit, and in Oslo in 2013, clearly which are mutually reinforcing. Whether nuclear-armed states like demonstrated that non-nuclear In contrast, traditional arms it or not – and some clearly don’t governments must engage more control efforts have gotten stuck, – the humanitarian approach isn’t fully in preventing the threats posed a result of focusing primarily on going away. Much of civil society, by nuclear weapons to the security weapons numbers and giving working through ICAN, openly of their own populations. That undue privilege to the sensitivities advocates for a treaty that would engagement is now happening, for of a few nuclear-armed states. include all nations and enhance not only did the Oslo and Nayarit The United States and Russia still the current non-proliferation conferences attract more states have many cuts to make in their regime by clearly banning the use, than most Non-Proliferation Treaty nuclear arsenals, but they both deployment, production and transfer meetings, but they also engaged enjoy the power and prestige they of all nuclear weapons, and require India and Pakistan, which are derive from their bilateral arms their total elimination. Meanwhile, unlikely ever to join the 1968 treaty. control relationship too much to governments are still in the process get anywhere near the level of zero of considering how to act on the Pushback from the P5 nuclear weapons that is supposed global threats posed by nuclear Despite intensive lobbying from to be the goal. On the contrary, weapons. So nothing is yet decided, some nuclear-weapon states every time they reduce the number but the representatives in Nayarit against participation, delegations of nuclear weapons, they inject signalled the need to accelerate from 146 governments took part billions more dollars and rubles nuclear disarmament. in the Nayarit conference. The five into their nuclear establishments By focusing on human permanent members of the UN to modernize and maintain the impacts, the Nayarit conference Security Council – all nuclear-armed thousands they intend to keep. demonstrated that preventing states – boycotted the conference, Other nuclear-armed states nuclear catastrophe is the as they did Oslo. In trying to look at that never-ending game responsibility and the right of all. undermine the growing humanitarian and insist that they too must Therefore, Austrian foreign minister pressure, they veered between keep and upgrade their arsenals Sebastian Kurz’s announcement dismissing it as a “distraction” and as long as anyone else has any that Vienna would host a further accusing participants of raising nuclear weapons. For far too long, conference on this topic was warmly humanitarian awareness with the the NPT regime and the arms welcomed. Kurz explained his sinister motive of starting a process control processes have served to government’s motivation, noting: to ban nuclear weapons. reinforce the status of nuclear-haves “Nuclear weapons are not only a Are they right in their critique at the expense of the nuclear- permanent threat to all humankind that the humanitarian initiative will free. Continued proliferation is but also a relic of the cold war that have a negative impact on the NPT the pernicious, if unintended, we must finally overcome.” and similar forums, such as the consequence, as leaders seeking Conference on Disarmament in regional or international influence Dr Rebecca Johnson FRSA is Geneva? A look at recent history try to get on the bottom rung of the executive director of the Acronym suggests otherwise. The roots of the nuclear capabilities ladder, thereby Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy present humanitarian initiative can threatening their neighbours’ and a co-chair of ICAN. An edited be found in the NPT and reviews of security even more. Is it any wonder version of this article appeared in the treaty. And in view of the failure that nuclear-free governments the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

18 Top: “Game Changers” participants. Middle left: Mexican ICAN campaigner Hector Guerra. Middle right: The closing session of the Nayarit conference. Bottom: The ICAN campaigners meeting in Nayarit. “Unless we act, nuclear weapons will be used – by accident, design or miscalculation. The only questions are when, where and how many.”

– ICAN STATEMENT, NAYARIT CONFERENCE

Above: A Ban All Nukes Generation action at the conclusion of the conference. Below (right): A reporter at the Soka Gakkai International and ICAN exhibition in Nayarit.

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