Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament

"The United Nations has annually adopted a consensus resolution, i.e. one including support of all States in the region, calling for the establishment of a nuclear weapon-free zone in the Middle East," says PNND Global Coordinator Alyn Ware, "but governments by themselves have not been able to develop the political momentum or bridge the political divides to achieve this vital goal. Parliamentarians can collaborate across borders to ensure success."

The Joint Parliamentary Statement was crafted through extensive consultations with officials and experts in Israel, Arab countries and Iran on a balanced approach to peace and disarmament in the Middle East, and the role of parliamentarians.

"Parliamentarians have been vital in the establishment of Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones in other regions including Antarctica, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Pacific, Africa, South East Asia and Central Asia," says Hon Matt Robson, PNND Council Member and the former New Zealand Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control. "Most of these zones were difficult to achieve, including countries or territories that were involved in nuclear testing, deployment or extended nuclear deterrence doctrines. The experience in overcoming these difficulties to develop security without nuclear weapons can encourage success in the Middle East."

To sign the statement, or for more information, contact PNND Global Coordinator Alyn Ware.

» Read more about the Bern Annual Assembly
» Read the related press release about the role of MPs in building a safer Middle East

Joint Parliamentary Statement for a Middle East Free from Nuclear Weapons and all other Weapons of Mass Destruction

Opened for endorsement on October 16, 2011
(also available in PDF)

As parliamentarians from the Middle East and from other regions, we support the goal of a Middle East Zone Free from Nuclear Weapons and all other Weapons of Mass Destruction;

We affirm the role of the United Nations in assisting in the development of such a zone, consistent with the principles and guidelines for establishing nuclear-weapon-free zones endorsed by the UN General Assembly;

We welcome the consensus resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly annually since 1980 affirming that the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East would greatly enhance international peace and security;

We emphasise the importance of comprehensive peace negotiations in the Middle East as an appropriate framework for the peaceful settlement of contentious issues and to enhance national and regional security in the region;

We welcome all initiatives relating to general and complete disarmament, including in the region of the Middle East, and note the importance of making progress on the control of conventional weapons, and on the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons;

We commend the leadership of the United Nations Secretary-General in advancing a Five-Point Proposal for Nuclear Disarmament including, among others things, the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones, entry-into-force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, achievement of a treaty on fissile materials, and negotiations for the global abolition of nuclear weapons through a nuclear weapons convention or package of agreements;

We especially welcome the appointment by the United Nations Secretary-General of a facilitator tasked to conduct consultations with the States of the region, and undertake preparations for the convening of a Conference to be attended by all States of the Middle East, on the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction;

We call on all governments – especially those in the Middle East and the Nuclear Weapon States – to collaborate in good faith with the UN Facilitator in order to pave the way for the Conference and for subsequent negotiations for the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction;

We welcome provisional confidence building measures which support the process for achieving a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction, including the placing of all nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, and full adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention and Biological Weapons Convention;

We encourage all Middle East countries, pending the establishment of the zone, not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or permit the stationing on their territories, or territories under their control, of nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices;

We call on parliamentarians and parliaments to act in support of the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction.

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To add your name to the list of supporters contact:
Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, alyn@pnnd.org, www.pnnd.org