Pledge signed by the first minister urges governments to sign and ratify the UN treaty abolishing nuclear arms
FIRST MINISTER NICOLA STURGEON has become the latest signatory of the parliamentary pledge drafted by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) in support of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
The treaty, also known as the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty, is the first legally binding international agreement to comprehensively rid the world of nuclear weapons. Adopted by the the United Nations on 7 July and signed on 20 September of this year, the treaty’s success has led to the announcement that ICAN will be the collective recipient of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize.
There are currently 53 nations listed as signatories of the treaty, though the UK is not among them.
“We pledge to work for the signature and ratification of this landmark treaty by our respective countries, as we consider the abolition of nuclear weapons to be a global public good.” ICAN parliamentary pledge signed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
The pledge signed by Sturgeon on Monday reads: “We, the undersigned parliamentarians, warmly welcome the adoption of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on 7 July 2017 as a significant step towards the realisation of a nuclear-weapon-free world.
“We share the deep concern expressed in the preamble about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result from any use of nuclear weapons and we recognise the consequent need to eliminate these inhumane and abhorrent weapons.
READ MORE: Campaigners celebrate Nobel Peace Prize for International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
“As parliamentarians, we pledge to work for the signature and ratification of this landmark treaty by our respective countries, as we consider the abolition of nuclear weapons to be a global public good of the highest order and an essential step to promote the security and well-being of all peoples.”
“We say ‘no’ to weapons of mass destruction. We say ‘no’ to nuclear weapons on the River Clyde, or anywhere else.” First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
Speaking at the 2017 SNP Conference, Sturgeon said: “We will never accept that a limit should be placed on the contribution Scotland can make to building a better world. Strong voices for peace and justice are needed now more than ever.
After recognising the achievements of ICAN as a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Sturgeon continued: “Our party stands proudly as part of the global movement for peace. So let us restate this today. No ifs, no buts from the SNP.
“We say ‘no’ to weapons of mass destruction. We say ‘no’ to nuclear weapons on the River Clyde, or anywhere else.”
Picture courtesy of Scottish CND
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