Scottish group heads to UN meeting on nuclear weapons treaty in New York

The group will attend the Second Meeting of States Parties (2MSP) Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) to share Scotland’s support for the Treaty and its potential on nuclear disarmament.

The meeting will continue the work began at 1MSP in Vienna, Austria last year.

The TPNW reached the required 50 state parties for its entry into force on the January 22, 2021, when it became binding on the states that ratified it. 

Since Scotland is not a UN member state, and since the UK refuses to acknowledge the Treaty or attend the meeting as an official observer state, Scotland will have no diplomatic representation.

However, the UN process allows for civil society participation and Scotland will be represented by a group of campaigners and by MSP Bill Kidd.

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There are now 93 signatories to the Treaty and whenever it is on the agenda of the UN General Assembly it has the support of around 130 states.

Janet Fenton, assistant secretary for the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), said: “The violence and destruction we see daily can overwhelm us, so it is really vital that we are also aware of the diverse, patient and inspired work that is happening worldwide to build a future for us and the whole planet. That’s where this treaty fits in.

“Even 10 years ago there were few who would have believed that a treaty to ban nukes would become a reality and would begin to change the whole story around these hideous weapons.”

David Mackenzie, who is also involved with Scottish CND, added: “Scotland is not yet fully awake to what we can do for global nuclear disarmament.

"If we become independent and accede to the TPNW we can swiftly not only rid our land of the risks and shame attached to their presence here, but can also affect the disarmament of the UK, since it would have no feasible or credible alternative location for its nuclear arsenal.”