History in the making – Nuclear Ban imminent

25 October 2020 — Medact

I am really excited to be able to let you know that last night, Honduras became the 50th state to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). This means that in 90 days time, the Treaty becomes international law ─ banning all use, possession and development of nuclear weapons.

This is a huge and long-awaited step toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons. The Treaty prohibits those who have signed up to it from undertaking any nuclear weapons activities, and complements existing legal instruments such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

Firstly, I would like to thank our members who have relentlessly campaigned, protested, lobbied the government and shouted about the massive threats to humanity and the environment posed by nuclear weapons. We would not be where we are today without you.

And secondly, while this is an undeniable advancement toward the abolition of nuclear weapons, it is not the end. There is still a lot of work to do. Nuclear Weapons States such as the UK have so far refused to engage with the TPNW, and the US has even gone so far as to put pressure on states that have ratified the Treaty to withdraw, and for others not to ratify.

The role of the health community in the movement for the abolition of nuclear weapons has been crucial, and it continues. With members of our Nuclear Weapons Group, we will be putting pressure on local and national UK government to support the Treaty. We hope that you will join us, by signing up to our Nuclear Weapons Group mailing list, or emailing me on