Nuclear Disarmament in Latin America: Unveiling the Impact of Humanitarian Perspectives and Advocacy Campaigns on the TPNW

Abstract

This essay explores the evolution of the humanitarian disarmament initiative toward the TPNW and the links and influences from Latin America civil society efforts. Shifting away from traditional military objectives, humanitarian disarmament integrates civil society organizations, prioritizes Human Security over State security, and emphasizes the humanitarian impact of weapons. The paper examines key campaigns, including the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), the Control Arms Campaign, the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), elucidating their advocacy strategies. It highlights the unique features of humanitarian disarmament, stressing obligations beyond elimination, addressing challenges in multilateral forums, and presenting Latin America’s distinct approach. The essay concludes by discussing the status of nuclear disarmament in the region, emphasizing universalization efforts and contextual challenges, including the rise of alt-right movements and the region’s historical commitment to nuclear disarmament.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Humanitarian disarmament represents a ground breaking shift in the disarmament landscape, with a core focus on ending civilian suffering marked by three key provisions. Firstly, it establishes absolute bans on specific weapons to prevent future harm. Secondly, it incorporates remedial measures addressing the effects of past weapon use, such as victim assistance and clearance of ordnance. Thirdly, it embraces a cooperative implementation approach, maximizing states’ potential to fulfill humanitarian goals. Together, these characteristics define a distinct and unwavering legal framework aimed at minimizing the adverse impacts of armed conflict on civilian populations. (Docherty 2013).

2 This refers to the earlier disarmament initiatives that tended to prioritize strategic security of States as they were the only, or the most significant, subject of the international legal system. (Evans 2021).

3 “[…] while traditional approaches to arms control and disarmament tend to frame the issues in terms of threats to states, new approaches tend to be more concerned with the security and well-being of people living within states. This signals a shift in emphasis from state and military security to human and economic security.” (McCarthy, Patrick 2005, 56).

4 In today’s international community, Alexis de Tocqueville’s warned “tyranny of the majority” has materialized into a de facto “tyranny of consensus,” often driven by the voice of a vocal minority. (Pham 2004).

5 Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy; African Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace; Article 36; International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War; Latin America Human Security Network; Norwegian People’s Aid; pacific Network on Globalisation; PAX; Peace Boat; Swedish Physicians against Nuclear Weapons, and; Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. (“ICAN,” n.d.).

Additional information

Funding

The work was financially support by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior.

Notes on contributors

Cristian Wittmann

Cristian Wittmann Doctor in Law at UNISINOS, Member of the Red de Seguridad Humana en Latinoamerica y Caribe, Member of ICAN’s International Steering Group. Visiting researcher at Université Paris 1 Sorbonne with financial support from CAPES/COFECUB. Email: [email protected]