nuclear-news

U.N. looks forward to more countries signing and ratifying nuclear ban treaty

UN expects early enforcement of nuclear ban treaty  https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180920_12/ The United Nations says another 10 countries will likely move toward ratifying the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in a signing ceremony next week.

The treaty adopted in July last year says nuclear weapons violate international humanitarian law. It prohibits countries from not only using, but also developing and possessing nuclear weapons.

50 countries need to ratify the treaty before it takes effect.

Santiago Villalpando, the Chief of the Treaty Section of the UN Office of Legal Affairs, indicated on Wednesday that as many as 10 countries are expected to sign the treaty or submit ratification documents after having completed domestic procedures.

To date, 15 countries and territories have ratified the treaty.

Villalpando says the number shows many countries promptly responded within one year of its adoption.

He expressed his high hope that the treaty will take effect at an early date.

Among those who will attend the signing ceremony are General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, and UN Under Secretary General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu.

Beatrice Fihn, the head of International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, will also be present.

The non-governmental organization known as ICAN has contributed greatly to the UN approval of the treaty. For its effort, the organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year.

September 21, 2018 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, weapons and war