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1 John Borrie, Viewing Nuclear Weapons through a Humanitarian Lens: Context and Implications 1 (2012)

handle is hein.unl/viewpwet0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Viewing Nuclear Weapons through a Humanitarian Lens: Context and Implications John Borrie, UNIDIR Senior Researcher and Policy Adviser Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons project paper no. 2 This paper considers the relevance of viewing nuclear weapons through a humanitarian lens-along with some criticisms of it-with a view to informing contemporary policy debate.' The notion of examining the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons use is gaining renewed attention. For instance: In its agreed outcome document, the 2010 NPT Review Conference expressed deep concern at the continued risk for humanity represented by the possibility that these weapons could be used and the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result from the use of nuclear weapons.2 The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement recently emphasized the immense suffering that would result from any detonation of nuclear weapons, as well as the lack of any adequate international response capacity to assist the victims. It recalled the 1996 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which expressed the Court's view that the threat or use of nuclear weapons would generally be contrary to the principles and rules of international humanitarian law.3 The Movement also called on all states to ensure that nuclear weapons are never again used and to pursue treaty negotiations to prohibit and eliminate them.4 At the United Nations General Assembly's 2012 First Committee session, Switzerland delivered a statement on behalf of 34 states expressing their 1 For an earlier, expanded version of this paper see J. Bornie and T. Caughley, How are humanitarian approaches relevant to achieving progress on nuclear disarmament?, in R. Johnson (ed.), Decline or Transform: Nuclear Disarmament and Security Beyond the NPT Review Process, Acronym Institute, 2012. 2 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Final Document, document NPT/CONF.2010/50 (Vol. I)*, 2010, part I, p. 19. 3 International Court of Justice, Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, advisory opinion, 1996. 4 Statement of the International Committee of the Red Cross at First Committee of the sixty- seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly, 16 October 2012, www.un.org/ disarmament/special/meetings/firstcommittee/67/pdfs/16 % 200ct% 20G D%201CRC.pdf. * A P A A

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