PI Govts called to reiterate human costs of nuclear weapons

Pacific Island Governments called to reiterate human costs of nuclear weapons

Suva, Fiji Islands, 12 October 2013 - Ahead of the UN General Assembly First Committee in New York next week which will address the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons it is hoped that Pacific Island Governments who are State Parties to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) namely Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga will continue to emphasize the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons for the Pacific Island region which continues to bear the impact of the use and testing of nuclear weapons.

“We need Pacific Island governments to continue to link this to the commitments they have made already to conflict prevention and human security because this is an issue that affects not only governments, but each and every citizen of our region when it comes to the management of and access to natural resources which will exacerbate current challenges including climate change. Civil society has a crucial role to play, side-by-side with governments. This is about a collective commitment to future generations to work together to rid our world of the threat posed by nuclear weapons.”

Campaigners have welcomed the joint statement New Zealand will deliver in the coming week.

This would amplify their earlier affirmation as signatory to Joint Statement on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons delivered by South Africa at the April 2013 Second Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons where the statement highlighted that past experience from the use and testing of nuclear weapons has amply demonstrated the unacceptable harm caused by the immense, uncontrollable destructive capability and indiscriminate nature of these weapons. The effects of a nuclear weapon detonation are not constrained by national borders - it is therefore an issue of deep concern to all. Beyond the immediate death and destruction caused by a detonation, socio-economic development will be impeded, the environment will be destroyed, and future generations will be robbed of their health, food, water and other vital resources

Additionally Pacific Island member states are being urged to:
• Express their intention to participate at the Nayarit(Mexico) conference
• Express concern at the catastrophic humanitarian harm caused by nuclear weapons
• Call for a negotiations on a legal instrument prohibiting nuclear weapons

FemLINKPACIFIC as a member of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict and International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) says that emphasis on the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons is a reality for the Pacific Island region which continues to bear the impact of the use and testing of nuclear weapons.

FemLINKPACIFIC acts at local, national and regional level in Fiji and the Pacific, giving voices to women across the region through a rural and regional media and policy network. FemLINKPACIFIC’s mission is to create enabling environments for rural women, young women and women with disabilities. We advocate for the implementation of UNSCR1325, communication rights and community media and women, peace and human security concerns. We operate a women-led community radio network “FemTALK 89FM” and promote change by developing appropriate media and communication materials, advocating for policy changes that reflect women’s reality at all levels and enhancing a community of practice and networks including as the Pacific Secretariat of GPPAC - Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict.

www.femlinkpacific.org.fj

ENDS

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