Up and Atom: Winter 2007

NATO summoned to change its nuclear policy

On the 24th November - Bombspotting and Greenpeace International activists delivered a citizens summons to NATO secretary general De Hoop-Scheffer. The summons asked for a change NATO nuclear policy at the Riga Summit by withdrawing and dismantling the nuclear weapons still deployed in European NATO countries.

This citizens summons concludes a month of complaint actions filed all over Europe resulting from a joint Bombspotting and Greenpeace initiative, supported here by CND. Citizens filed a complaint demanding a stop to the preparation of war crimes by deploying nuclear weapons and preparing for their use.

The citizens summons and the complaints were filed all over Europe demanding the enforcement of international humanitarian law. The International Court of Justice indicated in its Advisory Opinion from 1996 the rules of international law applying to nuclear weapons. The use or threat of nuclear weapons is contrary to these rules, because nuclear weapons cause unnecessary suffering and are indiscriminate.

The complaint pointed out the complicity of governments in NATO nuclear decision-making, including consequent responsibility and requested that the police take the relevant national judicial route to hold governments accountable to the rules of international law.

The complaint actions took place all over Europe. Especially in Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the UK a lot of local groups filed complaints at their local police office.

CND members filed complaints all over East Anglia, areas included Ipswich, Cambridge, Norwich, Bungay, Halesworth, Essex and Colchester. Most areas are still awaiting a reply from the police.

More info on the great work of bombspotters : www.bomspotting.be

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