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Joint Interfaith Statement on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

Categories: Articles:Human Rights, Articles:Nuclear Weapons, Articles:Social Justice, Resources:Nuclear Weapons | Published: 10/08/2022 | Views: 889

As people of faith committed to building a peaceful and just world, we come together to unite our voices on this occasion of the Tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which coincides with the solemn anniversaries of the days atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.



We are honored that survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki continue to guide our activism. Today, as we find ourselves faced with deep concerns about a potential escalation of nuclear war, we renew our determination to carry on their legacy and do our part as faith communities to keep working toward a future without nuclear weapons. 

 

The NPT is a landmark international treaty on nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament, and its wide adherence is a testament to the Treaty’s significance. We believe the NPT’s objectives are more relevant in today’s security environment than ever. 

 

However, as the 2020 joint civil society statement to the States Parties of the NPT indicates, the Treaty is only as strong as its implementation. The escalating tensions and uncertain global security environment are the very reasons we need decisive and timely action for nuclear disarmament, not increased investment in and modernization of such catastrophic weapons. It is urgent that we take such concrete action toward full implementation now, because our survival depends on it. 

 

As people of faith, we are here to remind you, delegates of the NPT Review Conference, of our shared humanity. Despite national interests and objectives that seemingly contradict each other at times, we share the fundamental goal of preserving our planet, our countries, communities and families, without which we cannot pursue our prosperity, well-being or happiness. We know that nuclear weapons, whether used by design or accident, will destroy the world as we know it and cause tremendous suffering of many people, as testified by the hibakusha and those from affected communities. Nuclear weapons are incompatible with our fundamental values of respect for human dignity; their continued role in so-called national security should not be tolerated. 

 

All of us, as leaders, delegates, civil society, and faith communities, share the moral and ethical responsibility of realizing a world without nuclear weapons, knowing that the possibility lies in our hands. It is up to each of us to enact this mission, and history will surely show that we took the right course. We say this, as we are encouraged by the commitment and leadership demonstrated by the States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), as seen in their bold commitments produced at the first Meeting of States Parties. 

 

As we embark on the negotiations at the Review Conference, based on the shared recognition that the horrors of nuclear weapons must never be visited upon any country, or any persons, we urge each delegation to the NPT to consider the following:

 

1. Heed the voices of hibakusha and those of affected communities, and recognize nuclear weapons for what they are— weapons of mass destruction capable of killing millions of people with long-lasting, devastating humanitarian consequences;

2. Affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought, and commit to concrete actions to prevent any possibility of escalation toward a nuclear war;

3. Fulfill commitments and obligations for nuclear disarmament under Article VI of the NPT, and also support other international instruments that complement such obligations, including the TPNW and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

 

Our diverse faith traditions remind us that we are not prisoners of our current reality. Each of us are creative, resilient, and capable of creating a world we desire. We trust that you will act in accordance with your moral conscience, and we pray for a fruitful Review Conference, one which future generations will take inspiration from. 

 

 

 

Endorsing Organizations 

All Africa Conference of Churches

Anglican Pacifist Fellowship 

Baltimore Nonviolence Center

Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America (BPFNA)

Beati i costruttori di pace (Blessed Are The Peacemakers)

Buddhist Council of New York

Buddhist Council of NSW

Catholic Religious Australia

CCFD-Terre Solidaire

Centro de Estudios Ecuménicos, A.C.

Christian Alliance For Peace

Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Christian Conference of Asia (CCA)

Christians for Peace Newcastle Australia

Church and Peace - European Ecumenical Peace Network

Church Council of Greater Seattle

Community of Christ - British Isles

Community Pope John XXIII- APG23

Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul USA

Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids

Dominican Sisters of Houston

Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, DC

Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils 

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Gandhi Development Trust in association with Phoenix Settlement Trust

GREEN HOPE FOUNDATION

Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart

Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation of New York

Hindus for Human Rights

Iglesia Anabautista menonita

Interfaith Council of Sonoma County

Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada

International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR)

International Peace Research Association 

Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)

Justice and Peace of Spain

Justice and Peace Scotland

Justice For All

Kairos Foundation of Nigeria

Loretto at the UN

Martha Justice Ministry, Sisters of St. Martha, Antigonish, Canada

Medical Mission Sisters - Justice Office

Melbourne Unitarian Peace Memorial Church Inc.

MI Gesu Detroit Peace and Justice Team

Missionary Society of St Columban (International)

National Council of Churches USA

Newman Hall NonViolent Peacemaking Group

Norfolk Catholic Worker

North Carolina Council of Churches 

Office of Peace, Justice, and Ecological Integrity/Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth 

Ohne Ruestung Leben

One Billion Youth for Peace

Pax Christi Aotearoa New Zealand

Pax Christi Beverly, MA

Pax Christi England and Wales

Pax Christi France

Pax Christi Germany

Pax Christi Illinois 

Pax Christi International

Pax Christi Lansing

Pax Christi MA

Pax Christi Michigan 

Pax Christi New York State

Pax Christi Scotland

Pax Christi USA

Pax Christi Western Massachusetts

PeaceHost.net

Pittsburgh Area Pax Christi

Presbyterian Church (USA)

Presbyterian Church of the Roses

Quakers in Britain

Religieuses Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur

Religions for Peace Australia

Saint Junia United Methodist Church

Shepparton Interfaith Network

Sisters of Charity Federation

Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati

Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Office of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation

Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Congregational Leadership

Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Western Province Leadership

Sisters of Charity of New York

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team

Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, PA

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, LA

Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Province of Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand

Soka Gakkai International

SS. Francis and Therese Catholic Worker

St. Susanna Pax Christi

The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus

The Swedish Society of Friends

The United Church of Canada

Unitarian Universalist Association

United Church of Christ, Justice and Local Church Ministries

Uniting Church in Australia Assembly

Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons, of URI

Wellspring Community INC.

WHEATON FRANCISCANS JPIC Office

Won Buddhism UN/Interfaith

World Council of Churches 

World Yoga Community

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