NFPB joined with other members of the Network of Christian Peace Organisations in writing to the UK government on the occasion of the second anniversary of the TPNW (the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons) coming into legal force. The letter states “This Treaty represents the global majority who live without nuclear weapons and wish to see them eradicated. We are writing to you to urge the FCDO to attend future TPNW review meetings with a view to signing the TPNW.“
The letter (see https://www.for.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NCPO-letter-to-FCO.pdf) stresses the importance of making meaningful progress towards global nuclear disarmament and urged the UK to co-operate with Pacific nations seeking information on the legacy of 1950s nuclear testing. Some of the signatories, all members of the Network of Christian Peace Organisations, delivered the letter to the Foreign Office ahead of the anniversary on 22 January anniversary.
The TPNW was negotiated in 2017, since when 92 states have signed and 68 have become states parties. The United Kingdom has yet to engage with the TPNW and failed to send an observer to the First Meeting of States Parties, which took place in Vienna last year.
The UK government repeatedly claims that the TPNW is not the correct vehicle to pursue nuclear disarmament, committing instead to the 1968 Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT), which has unfortunately made little progress for many years and in many ways maintains the status quo. The faith groups’ letter concludes “The TPNW process shows the ability of many nations to come together and work for peace. We cannot let this global collaboration be ignored.”
See also: Nuclear Ban info: the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) https://nfpb.org.uk/tpnw-info/