IALANA General Assembly issues an urgent call for a world without nuclear weapons and nuclear energy

“Nuclear weapons and nuclear energy are the two sides of a Damoclean sword. We are sharpening the cutting edge to make it even more dangerous through our research and improvement of nuclear weapons. The blunt side of the sword is also being sharpened to a dangerous level through the proliferation and maintenance of nuclear reactors. The fibers of the threat by which the sword is suspended are being cut one by one through the increasing number of nuclear states, the availability on the internet of knowledge regarding nuclear weapons construction, the availability of materials from the waste of nuclear reactors, and the activities of terrorist organizations who would love to acquire a bomb. The sword of Damocles is being made more dangerous every day.” These were the key words of the speech of Judge Christopher Weeramantry, former Vice-President of the International Court of Justice and UNESCO Peace Education Laureate, held on Saturday June 18, 2011 in Szczecin, Poland.