NUCLEARBANTREATY NEGOTIATIONHANDBOOK Published in March 2017 by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and Religions for Peace Contact: [email protected] Cover image: Jenny Jordahl This page: Frode Ersfjord Contents Foreword 2 Introduction 3 Our campaign 4 The negotiations 5 Humanitarian impact 7 Why a ban treaty 9 Advocacy messages 13 Communications 16 Practical information 18 Foreword A moral imperative to ban nuclear weapons eligions for Peace (RfP) is pleased to join in the form of silent cancer that eats away at our souls and thwarts historic publication of the ICAN/RfP Nuclear Ban our efforts to build “shared security”. Treaty Negotiation Handbook. As the negotiations New and historic opportunities for progress on nuclear Ron the nuclear ban treaty begin at the United Nations, RfP abolition are emerging. High-level policymakers, including is committed to further educating, mobilizing and engaging many who formerly supported nuclear deterrence, are its global network of religious communities across the world signalling their support for a nuclear-weapon-free world. for needed education, action and advocacy for the success of We should together seize the moment to work for the these historic negotiations. RfP is particularly delighted to be establishment of a clear international norm – in the form of working side by side with ICAN on this crucial issue. a global treaty – to prohibit and eliminate nuclear weapons. Moral imperatives against the use or possession of Allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude for all nuclear weapons arise from the depths of human conscience. who have contributed – both directly and indirectly – to Nuclear weapons, as indiscriminate weapons of mass the production of the ICAN/RfP Nuclear Ban Treaty destruction, are intrinsically evil. Even the development or Negotiation Handbook. As we equip ourselves for needed possession of nuclear weapons is morally disordered. education, action and advocacy with this handbook, let us all Nuclear weapons present a unique existential threat to commit to working shoulder to shoulder to free our world humanity. The number of states possessing nuclear weapons from the obscene grip of nuclear weapons. By doing so, we continues to grow, as does the possibility of terrorists can advance the peace which, the world’s diverse religions making or acquiring nuclear weapons. This proliferation agree, is our true human destiny. is accompanied by an increase in risk. Moreover, the technology designed to manage these weapons cannot be Dr William F Vendley made foolproof and the simple possession of these weapons Secretary General, Religions for Peace exposes the human family to potentially devastating accidents. In addition, the vast amount of money spent on these weapons is a form of “theft” that diverts desperately needed funds from development. Finally, a security framework that includes the threat of annihilating our neighbours is like a 2 Introduction Civil society working for a more peaceful world umankind can never coexist with nuclear weapons. and actively lobbied related parties. These initiatives created This does not simply represent a view from the a surge of international public opinion, paving the way for perspective of ethics, morality or religion. Anyone the conclusion of the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention Hwho thinks rationally understands that this is a consensus on Cluster Munitions. We are currently working towards supported by all people. Moreover, nuclear weapons endanger the adoption of a treaty banning nuclear weapons for not only humankind but all forms of life. Based on this which we desperately need support from a broad range of recognition, I would like to emphasize that it is the duty of constituents of civil society. Whereas civil society, including human beings to abolish all nuclear weapons. WCRP, emphasizes the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons, The World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP), nuclear-armed states argue the importance of nuclear comprising religious leaders from around the world, also deterrence. The nuclear deterrence theory, however, involves represents global civil society. The organization has been intimidation and cunning scheming in its essence, which can stressing the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons and lead to mutual mistrust. Suspicion and distrust in one another is committed to the nuclear abolition movement. This increases the risk of using nuclear weapons rather than movement originated from the misery and agony experienced stopping their use, making the world even more dangerous. by the victims of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Foreign policies based on nuclear deterrence theory have a Nagasaki in August 1945. At the first world conference negative impact on creating world peace. Moreover, they are of WCRP, held in Kyoto in 1970, we decided to establish against our religious beliefs and should never be permitted. the organization and adopted a statement which includes It is my sincere hope that this handbook will deepen the the following passage: “As men and women of religion we understanding of all constituents of civil society of the vital confess in humility and penitence that we have very often importance of the nuclear weapon ban treaty, help them betrayed our religious ideals and our commitment to peace. It develop a multifaceted approach to the movement, and is not religion that has failed the cause of peace, but religious boost the creation of a surge towards adoption of the treaty. people. This betrayal of religion can and must be corrected.” To this end, the handbook indicates various techniques for This statement is based on our sincere penitence for conducting effective negotiations with government officials, having occasionally supported narrow-minded nationalistic effective campaign methods, and strategies relating to the policies without any criticism, and made compromises media. I truly hope that you will find this handbook useful with the government of the day from the standpoint of and instructive. religious leaders. Based on this deep penitence, and having In a Buddhist sutra, there is the phrase “hyoka muyo”, recovered our religious conscience, we are now determined which refers to the peaceful state in which military forces and to work for the cause of peace, regarding it as our own weapons are totally useless. Our peace movement originated mission. At the same time, we are also fully aware that we in the belief that this is not simply an idealistic view, but a must fulfil this mission with an open-minded spirit that feasible and attainable future state of humankind. With this transcends differences between religions. I truly believe that firm belief, we will continue our commitment to work for this awareness will enable all religious men and women to the adoption of the treaty banning nuclear weapons, and combine their efforts and collaborate with grassroots citizens eventually the total abolition of nuclear weapons. to further develop the nuclear abolition movement. In the past, we saw many grassroots citizens involved Gijun Sugitani in campaigns against anti-personnel landmines and cluster Chair, International Standing Commission on munitions. Civil society also set forth scientific proposals Disarmament and Security, Religion for Peace 3 Our campaign A coalition motivated by humanitarian concerns he International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Our campaign then lobbied successfully for the UN Weapons (ICAN) is a coalition of non-governmental General Assembly to adopt the resolution in December 2016 organizations in one hundred countries advocating for to launch negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to Ta strong and effective treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons. Our prohibit nuclear weapons”. partners range from local peace groups to global federations representing millions of people. How we work ICAN was initiated in Melbourne, Australia, in 2007 and ICAN coordinates global days of action, raises public launched internationally in Vienna, Austria. Our campaign’s awareness, and engages in advocacy at the UN and in national founders were inspired by the tremendous success of the parliaments. We work with survivors of nuclear testing and International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which a decade the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, helping earlier had played an instrumental role in the negotiation of share their testimonies with the public and decision makers. the anti-personnel mine ban treaty. Many prominent people have lent their support to ICAN, Since our founding, we have worked to build a powerful including Nobel laureates Desmond Tutu and the Dalai global groundswell of public support for the abolition of Lama, musician Herbie Hancock, artist Yoko Ono, and actors nuclear weapons. By engaging diverse groups and working Martin Sheen and Michael Douglas. The UN secretary- alongside the Red Cross and like-minded governments, we general has praised ICAN’s work. have reframed the debate on nuclear weapons and generated momentum for the start of treaty negotiations. Humanitarian focus At a review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2010, all nations expressed their deep concern at the “catastrophic humanitarian consequences” of any use of nuclear weapons – a collective statement that led to the convening of three major conferences in 2013 and 2014 focusing on the humanitarian impact of nuclear detonations. ICAN served as the civil society coordinator for these meetings, which brought together most of the world’s governments, along with