Activists file legal complaints calling for removal and dismantlement of illegal US NATO nuclear weapons

480[2] US NATO nuclear weapons remain in Europe in Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey and the UK under NATO. The complaints to be filed against governments by individuals from groups in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Turkey demand the enforcement of international humanitarian law. The International Court of Justice indicated in its Advisory Opinion from 1996 the rules of international law applying to nuclear weapons. The use or threat of nuclear weapons is contrary to these rules of international law, because nuclear weapons cause   unnecessary suffering and are indiscriminate. The complaint points out the complicity of governments in NATO nuclear decision-making and consequent responsibility and requests that the police take the relevant national judicial route to hold governments accountable to the rules of international law.

Last month NATO condemned North Korea's nuclear test as “an extremely serious threat to peace and security in the world.” At the same time NATO continues to maintain these weapons in Europe.” Everyday that US nuclear weapons remain in Europe and, that NATO maintains plans for their use, international law is being broken. While we support the criticism of North Korea in developing nuclear weapons the position of NATO is severely undermined by their own flagrant disregard for the law. NATO should put its own nuclear house in order and eliminate its own extremely serious threat to peace and security,” said Bombspotting campaigner Roel Stynen.

Donna Mattfield, Disarmament Campaigner at Greenpeace International added “on 28th and 29th November NATO’s state leaders will meet in Riga, Latvia, to begin a process to review the mandate of the Alliance. This is an opportunity for European leaders to meet their own obligation to disarm the world of nuclear weapons and to do what the majority of people in Europe want [3] by removing US nuclear weapons from European soil”.

On 24th November, a bailiff will bring a summons to end NATO's illegal policy to NATO Secretary General De Hoop-Scheffer. The summons will remind De Hoop-Scheffer of his obligations under international law.

CONTACT:
Bombspotting – Roel Stynen, +32 499 213 212 roel@vredesactie.be www.bombspotting.be

Greenpeace International – Donna Mattfield +31 646 177537 http://www.greenpeace.org/