Why Fight for a
World Free of Nuclear Weapons?
by David Krieger*, February 2002
There are many
reasons to fight for a world free of nuclear weapons. Here are
some of the most important.
Nuclear weapons are not really weapons
at all, but instruments of mass annihilation, of genocide, and
possibly even of omnicide, the destruction of all.
They are city destroying weapons that
target the innocent, killing and maiming indiscriminately. Their
threat and use is immoral by any moral standard, and illegal under
any reasonable interpretation of international law.
These weapons place the human future and most of
life in jeopardy.
Nuclear weapons are inhumane and undermine our
humanity by their very existence.
To threaten or use these weapons is a cowardly
act, unbefitting of a brave and decent people.
Nuclear weapons are profoundly undemocratic, concentrating
the power to destroy in the hands of the few.
These weapons divide the world into nuclear haves
and have-nots, creating a world of nuclear apartheid.
The current policies of the nuclear weapons states
will result in nuclear weapons or weapons-grade materials falling
into the hands of terrorists and criminals, and the countries
likely to suffer the greatest damage as a result are the nuclear
weapons states themselves.
The possession of nuclear weapons by any nation
is an impetus to other nations to develop their own nuclear arsenals
and thus multiplies the danger.
If we do not succeed we may not be able to pass
the world on intact to the next generation.
Ending the nuclear weapons threat to humanity and
other forms of life is the greatest challenge of our time. It
wouldn't be so difficult if the governments of the nuclear weapons
states accepted their share of responsibility and took leadership
of the effort. Since these governments have failed to do so, it
is left to the people of the world to take responsibility and
fight for a world free of nuclear weapons. It is a fight for a
human and humane future.
*David Krieger is president
of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.
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