Dear Friend --

It's a really scary time right now, with nuclear threats and missile tests making headlines. While I want to be clear - I am not saying that it is likely that nuclear weapons will be used - we do have to recognise that Putin's recent nuclear threats together with his illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory has certainly moved us closer to such disaster.

As a campaign that is working to stop nuclear weapons and make sure they are never used, I wanted to give you an update on what we're doing. 

Before I continue, if you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious because of the risk of nuclear war, we have made a guide to dealing with nuclear anxiety. We have heard from our supporters that these tools have helped them cope, and I hope they help you too.

Our plan: mobilizing a strong, global response from all parts of the world to delegitimize and prevent any use of nuclear weapons.

Here's how we're doing it. 

#1: Using the law

Our main tool is the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This treaty bans the use and threat of use of nuclear weapons and has become a platform for mobilizing countries, including countries traditionally close to Russia, against these nuclear threats. In June, all states that have joined the treaty condemned unequivocally any any all nuclear threats. States repeated their condemnation at the UN in August.

Just a few days ago at the UN, 15 Caribbean states (members of CARICOM) said "Our support for the TPNW is grounded in the firm belief that the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons would be a gross violation of the Charter of the United Nations, a crime against humanity and a violation of international humanitarian law."

We are busy making sure more countries join this treaty in order to more clearly reject nuclear weapons, and encouraging existing member states to speak up against threats to use nuclear weapons. 

#2: Using political statements 

Right now, we're encouraging states to speak out at the UN General Assembly and use UN resolutions to condemn nuclear threats and to assert that any use of nuclear weapons will be unacceptable. 

Many states have already denounced nuclear threats and the unacceptability of the use of nuclear weapons in the statements to the General Assembly. We're working to rally all states to support any resolutions condemning the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory and pushing for the inclusion of language condemning nuclear threats. 

We're also emailing, calling and meeting with everyone we can reach to ensure that even states that have not yet joined the TPNW still strongly condemn these threats. For example, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said last week that "any use of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable" - something we have never heard from NATO before. 

#3: Mobilizing new and more diverse actors to speak against nuclear weapons

We're currently working to get new actors to speak against nuclear threats. From the UN Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order, to the Executive Director of UN Environmental Programme Inger Andersen, we are seeing more and more actors express support for nuclear disarmament and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

We're also creating materials and tools for organisations that have not worked on nuclear weapons issues before, so they can quickly get involved in this bigger movement. 

#4: Educate more people about nuclear weapons 

On September 25-26, five partner organisations to ICAN in Sweden (Swedish Physicians Against Nuclear Weapons, Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Sweden, Swedish UN Association and Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation), arranged a manifestation in Stockholm in front of the parliament.

As the world is suddenly discussing nuclear weapons again, we are working hard to make sure people are getting accurate information about nuclear weapons, the laws that govern them and how to take action. From putting together fact sheets on "Will Putin use nuclear weapons in Ukraine?", to producing op-eds, to doing media interviews and organising public events, we are out on the streets, on social media and in the press right now to share facts and information about nuclear weapons. 

These are really difficult times, but I hope this email at least makes you feel that you are not alone in this fight. There are many people around the world working hard right now to stop this from happening. We are so grateful that you are with us. 

Beatrice Fihn

Executive Director
ICAN

It’s time to end nuclear weapons.

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