G20 failure to give any commitment on abolition of nuclear weapons is disappointing - Statement from IDPD

Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD)

Date: 11.09.2023

PRESS RELEASE

The Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) has noted with concern that the G20 declaration has not given any commitment on the abolition of nuclear weapons. It has mentioned much about the on-going war between Russia and Ukraine; the threat of use of nuclear weapons in this situation is real and grave. In the point 8 of the declaration on page 2 concern has been expressed over the consequences of the war in Ukraine but the only line mentioned regarding nuclear weapons is ‘The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible’. The use of nuclear weapons has been expressed many times in the last over 18 months of the war. In this situation their use would not be limited to Russia and Ukraine but would be between Russia and the US-NATO. Studies conducted by the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), recipient of Nobel Peace Prize in 1985, have shown with evidence that the nuclear exchange between Russia and the US & NATO would lead to all out famine and death of 5-6 billion people. Their presence on earth poses a persistent threat of their use by the state, non-state actors, accident or technological failure. In case of a nuclear exchange the medical science has no remedy to offer. The only way out is their complete abolition. Despite this there is no mention of any commitment on the abolition of nuclear weapons what to talk of any concrete steps in this regard. With the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in force, it was an apt opportunity for the G 20 to join the treaty as six out of 9 nuclear weapons-possessing countries are members of the G20.

Dr Arun Mitra
President IDPD

DR Shakeel Ur Rahman
General Secretary IDPD