Guterres hails Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty's coming into force
- by Leona Burton
- in World Media
- — Jan 24, 2021
"The survivors of nuclear explosions and nuclear tests offered tragic testimonies and were a moral force behind the Treaty", Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for Guterres said in a statement.
The Treaty, endorsed by 51 states, mandates assistance, such as medical care, rehabilitation and psychological support to all victims under their jurisdiction.
But the country also depends on the US nuclear umbrella to protect it from threats including North Korean missiles, preventing it from endorsing an all-out ban on the production, use and stockpiling of nuclear weapons. Let us seize the moment - and take the Treaty all the way to its goal: "a world without nuclear weapons", he said in a statement. It also requires states to clear areas contaminated by nuclear use or testing.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was adopted in the summer of 2017, in hopes of bringing new momentum to the push to curb the deadliest armament in the world. Francesco Rocca, President of IFRC said.
More news: Canadiens ride second-period explosion to easy victory over Canucks"The Treaty is a ground-breaking step to address the legacy of destruction caused by these weapons".
Suga said Japan would continue efforts to "build a bridge" between nuclear weapons states and non-nuclear weapons states, including by telling the world of the horrific consequences of using nuclear weapons.
Anti-nuclear supporters in Christchurch celebrated the launch of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on Friday.
The Treaty enters into force as the world witnesses what happens when a public health system is overwhelmed by patients.
More news: Scientists question release of 'more deadly' Covid strain figuresPax Christi here has led a witness at the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall against nuclear weapons for more than three decades. The images were projected onto the Scottish Parliament, the government building at Victoria Quay, the Tron on the Royal Mile, and, as a special challenge to the United Kingdom government which has refused to acknowledge the Treaty, onto the new Scotland Office building in New Street.
The world's major nuclear-armed states, including the United States and Russian Federation have not endorsed TPNW.
Guterres said he was looking forward to guiding the UN's response according the treaty, including preparations for the first official Meeting of States Parties.
"For the first time in history, nuclear weapons are going to be illegal in worldwide law", Elayne Whyte, Costa Rica's former United Nations ambassador who oversaw the treaty's creation, tells NPR's Geoff Brumfiel. We are ready, together with our Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies, to intensify our efforts to achieve the broadest possible adherence to the Treaty and insist on its vision of collective security.
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