Quakers call for nuclear disarmament
'No nuclear-armed states have accepted the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.'
Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM) has signed a joint letter calling on world leaders to phase out nuclear weapons.
The letter – released ahead of the anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s atomic destruction – urges countries to divert money from nuclear weapons and towards public health, climate action and sustainable development.
Coordinated by NoFirstUse Global, the letter is addressed to the representatives of China, France, Russia, the UK, the USA and other States Parties to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT).
No nuclear-armed states have accepted the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (NPNW), which came into force last year.
The letter sets out a clear timeframe for achieving nuclear disarmament.
Paul Parker, recording clerk of BYM, said: ‘Ever since nuclear weapons were used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, Quakers have been working to eliminate them. The awful power of nuclear weapons goes against Quakers’ belief that there is that of God in every person.
‘Seventy-seven years on from the attacks, we call on world leaders to take action to protect our Earth and all those who live upon it.’
Paul Parker, on behalf of BYM, also signed a Joint Interfaith Statement to the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
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