nuclear-news

Oak Ridge Y-12 Indicted for War Crimes

Statement from Transform Plowshares about Y-12 nuclear weapons facility. 29 July 12 Courtesy: disarmnowplowshares.wordpress.com

Oak Ridge Y-12 Indicted for War Crimes“Today, through our nonviolent action, we—Transform Now Plowshares—indict the U.S. government nuclear modernization program,

including the new Uranium Processing Facility planned at Oak Ridge and the dedication of billions of public dollars to the continuation of the Y-12 facility.

WHEREAS, This program is an ongoing criminal endeavor in violation of international treaty law binding on the United States under the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article VI):

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be
made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be
made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme
Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby,
any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary
notwithstanding.

WHEREAS, The United States is bound by the United Nation’s Charter,
ratified and signed in 1945. Its preamble affirms that its purpose is
to “save future generations from the scourge of war”. It directs that
“all nations shall refrain from the use of force against another
nation”. Article II regards the threat to use nuclear weapons as
ongoing international criminal activity.

WHEREAS, The Nuremberg Principles, also promulgated in 1945, primarily
by the U.S., prohibit crimes against peace, crimes against humanity,
war crimes and genocide. They render nuclear weapons systems
prohibited, illegal, and criminal under all circumstances and for any
reason.

WHEREAS, The U.S. government is obligated as well by the Non
Proliferation Treaty, in force since 1970 that requires the signers to
pursue negotiations in good faith and to eliminate nuclear weapons at
an early date. The U.S. government is also obligated by the
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which prohibits full-scale nuclear
explosions.

THEREFORE, The work planned at Oak Ridge violates all these agreements
and is thus criminal.

Oak Ridge Y-12 is slated to receive more than $6.5 billion in federal
funding over the next decade for continuing nuclear weapons
production. The new Uranium Processing Facility is expected to sustain
a nuclear arsenal of 3000-3500 weapons beyond the middle of the
century. Additional production facilities are sought as well. Instead
of eliminating nuclear weaponry, Oak Ridge Y-12 perpetuates it through
the nuclear modernization program.

Against these continuing violations of treaty law, we assert our human
right to civil resistance. Furthermore we affirm as crucial the human
right to be free from these crimes. The Nuremberg Principles not only
prohibit such crimes but oblige those of us aware of the crime to act
against it. “Complicity in the commission of a crime against peace, a
war crime, or a crime against humanity…is a crime under
International Law”.

The ongoing building and maintenance of Oak Ridge Y-12 constitute war
crimes that can and should be investigated and prosecuted by judicial
authorities at all levels. We are required by International Law to
denounce and resist known crimes.

For the sake of the whole human family threatened by nuclear weapons,
and for the sake of our Planet Earth, which is abused and violated, we
indict the Oak Ridge Y-12 nuclear weapon facility and all government
officials, agencies, and contractors as responsible for perpetuating
these war crimes.
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/july292012/transform-plowshares-le.php

July 30, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Reference, UK, weapons and war