This week is the 69th anniversary of the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima (6 August) and Nagasaki (9 August). Earlier this year the Chairman of the Second International Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons said: “the broad-based and comprehensive discussions on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons should lead to the commitment of States and civil society to reach new international standards and norms, through a legally binding instrument.” And “The 70th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks is the appropriate milestone to achieve our goal.” That means one year to define the framework, find the negotiating forum, and start the process to outlaw nuclear weapons once and for all. The countdown has begun.
Also see the Pax Christi International statement (English) (Nederlands).