Write to Your Foreign Minister Today
The Non-Aligned Movement has now submitted a second resolution that will keep the issue alive in the UN for the next two years. ICBUW had hoped that the text would call for a moratorium but the political will is not there yet, particularly in a majority of NATO member states.
We need you and your member groups to contact your elected representatives and Foreign Ministries with a request that they support this resolution. The First Committee vote will be early in November, the General Assembly vote a month later. The resolution is entitled: A/C.1/63/L.26 Effects of the use of armaments and munitions containing depleted uranium.
For a full copy of the text and more background please scroll down.
Last year many states were unprepared for the resolution and it passed with a huge majority, this year DU users and producers have been piling on the pressure so the outcome is far less assured. People power can make a huge difference to this campaign and now is the time to apply it.
I have written a model letter for you to use below, although if you can add to and alter it to make it your own please do so.
I am deeply concerned about the continued use of conventional weapons containing uranium. Because of their long-term impact on human health and the environment I believe they breach the basic norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Conventions.
The United Nations First Committee will vote on a resolution calling for further research on the issue at the start of November and I firmly believe that our country should support it.
While detailed epidemiological evidence from areas where these weapons have been used is still being gathered, the vast majority of in-vitro studies suggest that uranium weapons constitute a long-term hazard to the military and civilians alike. The evidence is already strong enough to support swift action under the Precautionary Principle - if this was an issue of consumer or domestic environmental safety they would already be banned.
The weapons are already banned in Belgium and in May this year 94% of MEPs backed a resolution calling for a global moratorium on their use. Therefore I urge you to support A/C.1/63/L.26 ' Effects of the use of armaments and munitions containing depleted uranium' at the UN First Committee and the General Assembly.
For a full copy of the text and more background please visit: http://www.bandepleteduranium.org/en/a/198.html
Yours sincerely,
Attachments
Effects of the use of armaments and ammunitions containing depleted uranium
18 Kb - Format pdfNAMThe NAM's 2008 draft resolution on the effect of uranium weapons on human health and the environment.
See also
International Coalition to Ban Uranium WeaponsPressure from DU producers and users slows DU treaty campaign
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has submitted a new resolution on uranium weapons to the United Nations First Committee. If passed, in voting early in November, it will then be voted on by the United Nations General Assembly early in December. Read on to find out how you can help.23 October 2008 - ICBUW
International Coalition to Ban Uranium WeaponsEuropean Parliament Issues Statement to UN Delegations
Members of the European Parliament have issued a statement to coincide with ICBUW's work at the United Nations First Committee. In it they call for support from member states for a treaty banning the use of uranium in conventional weapons.8 October 2008 - European Parliament
International Coalition to Ban Uranium WeaponsEuropean Parliament passes far reaching DU resolution in landslide vote
The European Parliament has passed its fourth and most far-reaching resolution yet against the use of uranium weapons. MEPs have called for an EU and NATO-wide moratorium and global ban.22 May 2008 - ICBUW
International Coalition to Ban Uranium WeaponsUN General Assembly Passes DU Resolution
The United Nations General Assembly has passed, by a landslide, a resolution calling for further research into the health effects from DU.5 December 2007 - ICBUW