By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Oct. 26: Days after the United Nation’s treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was activated after the 50th country ratified the treaty, long-time advocate of global disarmament His Holiness the Dalai Lama welcomed the development and said, “A nuclear-free world is in everyone’s interest”.
The Tibetan spiritual leader wrote, “This is indeed historic and augurs well for the future of humanity. It is a step in the right direction to finding more enlightened and civilized arrangements for resolving conflicts. I have no doubt that this treaty’s coming into force will contribute to even more concerted efforts to do away with these dreadful weapons and secure genuine and lasting peace in our world.”
The octogenarian leader said that the move is an act of universal responsibility that recognises the fundamental oneness of humanity, and that the world heavily dependent on one another must learn to live together.
“The world has now taken the first positive step towards a more peaceful future, but our ultimate goal should be the demilitarization of the entire planet. I believe this is feasible if proper plans are made and people are educated to their advantages. Since the first step, the intention to eliminate nuclear weapons has been taken; ultimately total demilitarization can be achieved,” he further wrote in a statement on Monday.
The United Nation’s treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was triggered after the 50th country, Honduras ratified the treaty on Saturday. The treaty will come into effect in 90 days beginning January 2020.
The move however was objected by the five original nuclear powers; the US, Russia, China, Britain and France and four other countries believed to possess nuclear weapons — India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel.
The treaty was approved by the 193-member UN General Assembly on July 7, 2017 by a vote of 122 in favour, the Netherlands opposed, and Singapore abstained.
