Nuclear Weapons

An unnecessary evil: towards the elimination of nuclear weapons.

In August 1945, the world got to know the unspeakable devastation caused by nuclear weapons. The Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were completely wiped out, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths and creating long-lasting damage to livelihoods and the natural environment.  

In the aftermath of the bombings, the Red Cross intervened to assist those in need. After seeing the horrors that nuclear weapons can cause, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement committed to advocating for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.  

The international debate about nuclear weapons has centred around justifications of national defence and deterrence. Yet, history has shown us that the humanitarian consequences of these weapons make it necessary to eliminate them.

The existence of nuclear weapons poses a serious threat to the world. Imagine a nuclear attack today: entire cities are wiped out. There is a devastating impact on entire populations’ health and well-being, destroying essential infrastructure such as hospitals and schools, polluting the environment, affecting food production and, eventually, socio-economic development. The devastating consequences of nuclear radiation would be impossible to contain in space and time – it affects us all regardless of where we are in the world.

No State or humanitarian organisation could adequately respond to the humanitarian crisis that would unfold. No humanitarian response would be possible.  

The use of nuclear weapons is not only contrary to the dictates of humanity, but also to the principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The rules of IHL prohibit attacks directed against civilians and all indiscriminate attacks that do not distinguish between protected people and military targets. Attacks also need to be proportionate, and all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid unnecessary suffering. Because of their devastating nature and effects, it is highly unlikely that nuclear weapons could ever be used in compliance with IHL rules and principles. 

This is why nuclear weapons must be eliminated.  

Banning Nuclear Weapons

In 2017, states agreed on the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The treaty prohibits States from threatening to use or using nuclear weapons, but also producing, testing, trading or even possessing them. Ireland ratified the Treaty for Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2020, and has long played a key role in nuclear disarmament. 

This is a great step towards complete nuclear disarmament, but there is still a long way to go. As long as nuclear weapons exist, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will continue to advocate for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. As stated in the 2022 – 2027 Action Plan on the Non-Use, Prohibition and Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, the Movement calls for States to: 

  • Ratify and implement the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the other treaties regulating nuclear use and proliferation. 
  • While working towards complete disarmament, take effective measures to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and ensure that these weapons are never again used.  
  • Ensure that national policies and regulations take into consideration the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, implementing research efforts to better understand the impact of the use of nuclear weapons.