Nuclear Weapons
Nuclear weapons are the most destructive, indiscriminate, and inhumane instruments of mass murder ever created. Their use – and even their possession – goes against every principle of international humanitarian law.
The catastrophic health and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons sit at the extreme end of a continuum of armed violence that undermines collective health and human security.
The Nuclear Weapons Group represents the longest standing aspect of Medact’s work to address war, militarism, armed violence and conflict as global threats to health.The group works to campaign for nuclear abolition by highlighting the medical and humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, and stating clearly that prevention of nuclear war is a medical and public health imperative.
Join us in our work towards nuclear abolition for health justice.
Join us!
In the movement to abolish nuclear weapons, there is space for everyone!
Whether you study or work in health, or are simply passionate about ending nuclear disarmament for health justice – the Nuclear Weapons Group is for you! Sign up using the form below to hear about how to get involved. If you have any questions about getting involved, please email [email protected].
To get involved, sign up for updates!
Events coming up
Latest news
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Medact’s Election Manifesto Breakdown 2024
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Nuclear War Questions: Write to your Prospective Parliamentary Candidates!
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Disarmament for Climate Justice and Health: reflections and direction following COP28
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Organising and local campaigns: how much is too much?
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The people will not tolerate genocide! A response to PM’s speech on protests
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The 2024 Holdstock-Piachaud Student Essay Prize
Our work
Research and education
We aim to raise awareness in the health community of the health and humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons and the subsequent imperative to scrap Trident, ban nuclear weapons in the UK, and support the global movement to abolish nuclear weapons. The Nuclear Weapons Group have produced various blogs on nuclear weapons issues, articles published in Medact’s designated journal – Medicine, Conflict and Survival – and full length reports, briefings and webinars for education on nuclear weapons issues.
Don’t Bank on the Bomb UK – Nuclear disarmament through divestment
Our priority campaign is developing a national Don’t Bank on the Bomb campaign. Building on long standing work from PAX and ICAN, and campaigning work from DBoTB Scotland – the group seeks to grow a national network of campaigners, and create practice resources to support members to campaign and influence their banks, pension funds and other financial institutions to divest from nuclear weapons manufacturers.
UK & International Nuclear Disarmament Movement Work
The Nuclear Weapons Group is proudly part of an international movement to end the threat of nuclear weapons. Medact is the UK affiliate of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), and a coordinating partner of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) – set up in 2007 by IPPNW. In the UK, we collaborate with a range of peace organisations and work to influence the government to support the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) through campaigns like the ICAN Cities Appeal and lobbying in civil society meetings. We also aim to resource Medact members to influence their MPs and parliamentary candidates on nuclear weapons issues. Before the General Election, you can send this letter on nuclear disarmament to your Parliamentary Candidates.
Resources
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Briefing: Nuclear Militarisation – How it threatens humanity
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A Safer World – Treating Britain’s harmful dependence on nuclear weapons
Get in touch!
Contact Medact’s Campaign Lead for Peace & Security – Sarah Lasoye at [email protected].