(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
COMMENT
This year we mark 70 years since the world saw Hiroshima and Nagasaki totally destroyed by two nuclear bombs. We have been aware of the disastrous humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons in 70 years, yet this weapon is still legal. This spring, it is ready for the non-proliferation supervisory conference. The conference, which has been held every five years for a number of years, intends to follow up the objectives of the non-proliferation agreement. The non-proliferation agreement aims to prevent the proliferation of several nuclear weapons, but also disarmament. It is important as the only legally binding international agreement on non-proliferation and disarmament. At the same time, the results have been waiting. Today, more countries have nuclear weapons than when the agreement came into force. In addition, nuclear weapons states are working on upgrading and modernizing nuclear weapons. This is contrary to the goal of disarmament. Therefore, we expect that Norway's delegation to the supervisory conference has a strong and clear focus on the obligations that lie with the nuclear weapons states in the non-proliferation agreement.
Norway must be more active. In the winter of 2013, Norway held the first conference on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, and started a completely new way of talking about nuclear weapons. The illusion of nuclear weapons as a magic shield burst, and we could see nuclear weapons as what they actually are – useless and cruel weapons. This conference and the two follow-up conferences in Mexico and Austria have created a political climate for discussing a ban.
Now, after the third conference in Austria, we have finally got what we have been waiting for: Austria has committed to starting work on a ban on nuclear weapons through The Austrian Pledge. This is something Norway initially started. Why are we holding back now?
A survey conducted by Respons Analyze on behalf of Norwegian People's Aid shows that eight out of ten Norwegians want Norway to work actively to ban nuclear weapons. SV, Venstre and Senterpartiet have put forward a representative proposal in the Storting which asks the government to be a driving force for an international ban on nuclear weapons, and at the Labor Party's national meeting last week it was decided that the Labor Party wants Norway to work actively for a ban. Despite broad agreement in the population and in the Storting, Børge Brende & co. to continue the work Norway started. One of the main arguments has been that Norway's NATO membership makes it difficult to work for a ban on nuclear weapons. This has long been rejected by international experts, who deny that there are any legal obstacles to Norway working for a ban. Even NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has pointed out that Norway, as a NATO member state, can be an active proponent of a ban. I would also like to remind the government that a world free of nuclear weapons is also a stated goal in NATO.
It is disappointing to see the passive, reluctant line the government has taken.
By arranging the first conference with emphasis on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, Norway has been one of the pioneers in this field. Therefore, it is disappointing to see the passive, reluctant line the government has taken. When both the people and the political majority want it, why will not the government work actively for an international ban on nuclear weapons? We expect a clear Norwegian delegation at the supervisory conference. The government has repeatedly expressed its vision of a world free of nuclear weapons, but if visions are to become a reality, something must be done to get there. Norway cannot jump off the train they started themselves.
Aspelund is the leader of Norwegian People's Aid Solidarity Youth.
