The Middle East Treaty Organization (METO) extends its warmest congratulations to the governments of all those states that have ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), a treaty which prohibits the development, testing, production, acquisition, possession, stockpiling, use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.  Under the terms of the treaty, the treaty will come into force in 90 days from Saturday 24th October.

Moreover, METO extends its warm congratulations to campaigners all over the world and to the International Campaign to Abolition Nuclear Weapons whose work has been instrumental in achieving this monumental milestone.

METO considers that the TPNW has an important role to play in the denuclearisation of the world  and the achieving of a  WMD free-zone in the Middle East (WMDFZ). We also believe that the creation of a WMDFZ in the Middle East, will assist with the ratification of the TPNW by all  states of the zone.

Disarmament starts when states start to talk, and now that a treaty is about to enter into force we are deep into the process of disarmament and we hope to see ALL states of the Middle East signing and ratifying the TPNW and working closely together on a text for a WMD free zone to accompany it.

Sharon Dolev, Executive Director of the Middle East Treaty Organisation said, “Entry into force of the TPNW shows the power of civil society when they decide to achieve what they consider possible despite the superpowers trying to push back. It’s always funny to see how nuclear armed states say that nuclear weapons are here to protect mankind, but now that we know that these devices can bring the end of civilisation the superpowers are now trying to protect their nuclear weapons from civil society.”

Notes to editors:

About the Middle East Treaty Organisation (METO)

The Middle East Treaty Organization (METO) is a coalition of civil society activists and practitioners seeking to rid the Middle East from all weapons of mass destruction as a gateway toward regional security and peace. Our vision is of a peaceful, integrated and thriving Middle East built on human and environmental security and our mission is to eradicate WMDs, broker peace and build security in the Middle East.

About the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)

The TPNW includes a comprehensive set of prohibitions on participating in any nuclear weapon activities. These include undertakings not to develop, test, produce, acquire, possess, stockpile, use or threaten to use nuclear weapons. The Treaty also prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons on national territory and the provision of assistance to any State in the conduct of prohibited activities. States parties will be obliged to prevent and suppress any activity prohibited under the TPNW undertaken by persons or on territory under its jurisdiction or control. The Treaty also obliges States parties to provide adequate assistance to individuals affected by the use or testing of nuclear weapons, as well as to take necessary and appropriate measure of environmental remediation in areas under its jurisdiction or control contaminated as a result of activities related to the testing or use of nuclear weapons.

For media enquiries:

Sharon Dolev (Hebrew and English) +972 52-848-0543, sharon@wmd-free.me

Emad Kiyaei (English and Farsi) +1 (631) 371-9292, emad@wmd-free.me

Paul Ingram (English and Farsi) +44 7908 708175, paul@wmd-free.me