The humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapon use: Reshaping the disarmament debate?

This seminar will discuss the humanitarian effects of nuclear weapons and explore the way forward for states and civil society.

Date: 2013-10-30

Time: 10:00 to 12:30

Venue: Conference Room , ISS Pretoria

RSVP: Ms Agar Ngwenya
Phone: +27 12 346 9500
Email: [email protected]

In November 2011, the Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement adopted a resolution calling on its members to raise awareness of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons. In March 2013 Norway held a global meeting to address the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons, and Mexico has announced that it will host a follow-up meeting in 2014.

These developments all reflect a shift from the traditional military discourse of nuclear deterrence to a focus on the humanitarian impact of these weapons, and come at a time when the call for a treaty to ban nuclear weapons is gaining momentum.

This joint International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – ISS seminar will discuss the humanitarian effects of nuclear weapons and explore the way forward for states and civil society.

Welcome and opening remarks: Noel Stott, Senior Research Fellow, Transnational Threats and International Crime Division, ISS Pretoria

The humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons: the current dynamic: Dr Patricia Lewis, Chatham House, London

The way forward: Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO), South Africa; His Excellency Ambassador Héctor Valezzi, Embassy of Mexico, Pretoria, and Sarah Swart, Regional Legal Advisor, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Pretoria