To prevent the use of nuclear weapons and the waging of nuclear warwe must support and implement all the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation treaties.
Vigils on 13 and 20 July 2022.
Seventy seven years after nuclear bombs were first used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, nuclear weapons still threaten the
world. The war between Russia and Ukraine reminds us of the dangers of nuclear war. NATO and Russia
between them possess 12,000 nuclear weapons.
However, great progress has been made to abolish nuclear weapons. In 2021, the Treaty on the Prohibition of
Nuclear Weapons entered into force. It prohibits nations from developing, testing, producing, manufacturing,
transferring, possessing, stockpiling, using or threatening to use nuclear weapons, or allowing nuclear
weapons to be stationed on their territory. It also prohibits them from assisting, encouraging or inducing
anyone to engage in any of these activities. To date there are 86 signatories and 66 states parties to the
Treaty.
Sadly, the UK government has consistently voted against the Treaty at UN General Assembly gatherings and
has refused to sign the Treaty. It supports the replacement of Trident, the UKs own nuclear weapon system,
which is estimated to cost £205 billion.
Nuclear weapons endanger us all. Please write to the Prime Minister to urge the government to cancel the
Trident nuclear weapon programme, join the UN Nuclear Ban Treaty and fully implement all nuclear
disarmament and non-proliferation agreements which we are a part of. Demand an end to nuclear threats,
and devote British resources to stop the US, NATO and Russia and other nuclear states risking our lives with
their nuclear policies and rivalries.
To the Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, London SW1.
I urge you to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on behalf of the UK, and to take
immediate steps to implement its obligations and promote full nuclear disarmament in the world.
In view of the appalling humanitarian, environmental and health impacts of nuclear weapons and radiation,
which especially harm women and girls, it is vital that you demonstrate responsible leadership by ending the
UK’s Trident nuclear programme.
By signing the UN Nuclear Prohibition Treaty, you would enhance global security as this volatile time. Taking
this step would enhance Britain’s role and influence for peace and security, and create much needed jobs in
disarmament and verification. You would also free up resources to tackle urgent security threats such as
climate destruction, violence against women and girls, and the deadly arms trade.
Signed……………………………………………………………………..Date………………………….
Name: …………………………………………………………………………………………………..…..
Address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Women in Black hold vigils every Wednesday between 6-7 pm at the Edith Cavell Statue, opposite the door
of the National Portrait Gallery, St.Martin’s Place, London WC2. Our vigils are silent, women-only and if
possible we wear black. We welcome all women who support our call for an end to militarism and war.
Contact us: Twitter @WIB_London FB @womeninblack.london http://london.womeninblack.org/
Donations for leaflets most welcome