After the world court opinion: Toward a world without nuclear weapons∗

Based on keynote address to the XIIth World Congress of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Worcester, MA 26 July 1996.

Abstract

The Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice states unanimously that governments must conclude negotiations leading to complete nuclear disarmament. The Court itself could not declare nuclear weapons illegal in the absence of a Nuclear Weapons Convention analogous to the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions, but the onus now is for the world community to create such a convention, which when in force would supersede the Non‐proliferation Treaty. Essential adjuncts to a Nuclear Weapons Convention are measures for conventional disarmament and control of the arms trade, and progress with sustainable development.

Key Words:

• Conventional disarmament
• International Court of Justice
• Nuclear disarmament
• Sustainable development
• United Nations

Notes

Based on keynote address to the XIIth World Congress of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Worcester, MA 26 July 1996.