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Commentary: Support the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty and make it the first step to a world free of nuclear weapons

by Kyosuke Mizukawa, Staff Writer

The treaty to ban nuclear weapons was adopted with the support of non-nuclear nations, which are the global majority, and antinuclear non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Their aim is to work toward the elimination of nuclear arms by creating a global consensus that nuclear weapons are illegal and inhumane. These groups also hope to put pressure on non-nuclear nations which rely on the “nuclear umbrellas” provided by their allies.

Negotiations for the treaty were carried out without the participation of nuclear nations or the countries under their “nuclear umbrellas.” Nonetheless the treaty was constructed with these countries in mind. The preamble to the treaty points to the historical suffering of the A-bomb survivors, as well as to the continuing risks of unintentional detonation or other accidents which will remain as long as nuclear weapons exist. The treaty fundamentally rejects the theory that national security relies on a nuclear deterrent.

The treaty allows nations armed with nuclear weapons to sign on before giving up their nuclear arsenals, if they agree to and carry out the scheduled destruction of their nuclear arms. Though this article was a target of criticism during treaty negotiations, it is hoped that the participation of nuclear powers can enhance the treaty’s effectiveness by allowing nuclear-dependent nations to work with others towards ending any security policy which employs nuclear deterrence, and aiming for complete nuclear disarmament.

Nations which possess nuclear weapons and insist on only a gradual reduction of arms show no sign of compromise so far. In addition, the treaty lacks detailed plans for inspection and verification, as there has been no time for the lengthy discussions necessary to work out such plans. Even so, it is realistic to hope for a world without nuclear weapons, if all countries around the world sign on to and abide by the ban. The treaty could become the key which opens the door to nuclear abolition if the international community and civil society work to support it.

The Japanese government has declined to sign the treaty, which would force it to expose its dependence on nuclear deterrence as security strategy. The survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki say, “No one deserves the same suffering we have experienced,” a message which has been included in the treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons. The government should fully accept the survivors’ appeal and take the treaty seriously.

(Originally published on July 9, 2017)

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