Global call for disarmament on international day against nuclear tests |30 August 2023

On August 29, nations across the globe united to commemorate the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, amplifying the urgent plea for a world free from the perilous threats posed by nuclear testing and the arms race.

This day serves as a solemn reminder of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear tests, while reinforcing the international resolve to achieve disarmament and prevent nuclear proliferation. Seychelles, a nation resolute in its commitment to a nuclear-free world, signed and ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) on October 7, 2021.

This pivotal step affirms Seychelles’ adherence to the principles of disarmament. The TPNW was formally endorsed by then-President Danny Faure during a distinguished ceremony in New York on September 26, 2018. The subsequent approval of the treaty by Seychelles’ Cabinet on July 1, 2020, followed by unanimous endorsement by the National

Assembly on June 30, 2021, solidified the country’s commitment.

The culmination of this process occurred when Seychelles deposited its instrument of ratification with the United Nations (UN) secretary-general on July 9, 2021.

Underlining its dedication, Seychelles submitted a declaration on March  3, 2022 in accordance with Article 2 of the TPNW.

This declaration confirms Seychelles’ non-possession and non-control of nuclear

weapons, as well as its historical absence of ownership. Moreover, the nation does not host any other state’s nuclear weapons on its soil.

Seychelles actively contributed to the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in 2017, casting its support alongside 122 other states that voted in favour of its adoption. The country was also a signatory to a “humanitarian pledge” in 2015-16, joining 127 states in an endeavour to stigmatise, prohibit, and eliminate nuclear weapons. This pledge played a pivotal role in building momentum and support for the convening of TPNW negotiations.

Advocating for universal adherence to the TPNW, Seychelles co-sponsored and consistently voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution since 2018. This resolution urges all states to expeditiously sign, ratify, or accede to the treaty.

Bernard Georges, the leader of government business, reflected upon Seychelles’ vulnerability to nuclear weapons, particularly in light of its proximity to military bases like Diego Garcia.

“We are surrounded by a nuclear presence,” he emphasised, speaking of the nation’s geographical reality.

This year’s 13th annual observance of the International Day Against Nuclear Tests witnessed a diverse array of events and initiatives across continents. Nations demonstrated their shared commitment to restraining the testing of nuclear weapons. United Nations secretary-general António Guterres reiterated the organisation’s unwavering dedication to a world devoid of nuclear weapons, calling upon all nations to prioritise the well-being of humanity.

As the world reflects on the devastating potential of nuclear weapons, the recent screening of the movie ‘Oppenheimer’ at the Deepam Cinema provided a pertinent backdrop.

The absence of substantial military infrastructure amplifies the disproportionate impact of a nuclear detonation, extending to long-term environmental, health, and economic ramifications.

This day also prompts a sombre reflection on history. On August 6, 1945, the United States’ deployment of the first nuclear bomb, codenamed ‘Little Boy’ over Hiroshima marked a turning point.

This historic event ushered in the era of nuclear warfare, releasing unimaginable energy through nuclear fission. The subsequent explosion resulted in unprecedented destruction and loss of life. The deployment of another nuclear bomb, ‘Fat Man’ on Nagasaki on August 9 emphasised the dire potential of nuclear weapons, contributing to Japan’s surrender and an end to World War II.

Earlier this year, members of the National Assembly, including the secretariat’s representatives, the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) and the Seychelles Police attended a half-day workshop promoting the universality and implementation of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT).

As the world acknowledges the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, the urgent call for disarmament reverberates, underscoring the shared global responsibility to prevent the cataclysmic consequences of nuclear conflict.

Compiled by Sunny Esparon