Scientists and the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons

Abstract

Ever since the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, all humanity, and particularly the Japanese, have sought to achieve the abolition of nuclear weapons. This is at last becoming a realizable and realistic aim after several recent international accords. They include the indefinite extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; the conclusion of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), prohibiting unconditionally all nuclear test explosions; and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, calling nuclear weapons the ultimate evil, although not deciding upon the legality of their use or threat of use in self-defence.