Brian Strack
Oak Creek High School
Switzerland 2014
Assurance of Non-Nuclear-Weapon States Against the Threat or use of Nuclear Weapons
The great nation of Switzerland has always maintained a position of neutrality and peace
throughout the various conflicts that have affected the world over the years. In the case of
nuclear arms Switzerland call for disarmament of all nuclear arms active all over the world.
Previously, UN representative Jürg Streuli committed himself to this goal back in 2007 by
forming a treaty with Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, and Sweden. Unfortunately, large
militaristic superpowers such as the US, France, and Great Britain have denied all movements
towards this necessary stride towards peace. Switzerland will continue to maintain its stand on
nuclear arms disarmament, and until a resolution is formed the alliance formed to diminish this
imminent threat will continue to fight for change.
With evidence such as North Korea’s recent attempts towards nuclear power, the threat
weapons of mass destruction introduce into the world is very harmful to many countries and
many mediums such as economically, militaristically, and environmentally. Today there are
roughly 27,000 nuclear weapons scattered across the planet. As they sit there in their silos the
lives of those around them are in constant danger. The main goal that Switzerland and various
other countries are attempting to progress is to relieve the tensions between nations, improve
safety for the world’s people, and overall improve the world in innumerable different ways. The
first step towards this goal would be to ban nuclear testing, but countries including the US have
been completely against such ideas. Currently, the greatest tool in the armament of decreasing
nuclear weapon is the Nuclear No-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The NPT is based on three pillars:
non-proliferation, disarmament, and access to peaceful use of nuclear energy. States like Israel,
Pakistan, India and North Korea have yet to adopt this accord. Most of the recent nuclear
disarmament talks at Geneva have been less than successful, and the only way to keep this goal
alive is to increase strength in the treaty and persuade the resisting countries to this viewpoint. A
few point of persuasion are the fact that the short reaction time that comes with weapons like
these leaves little time to make decisions during a malfunction or misunderstanding causing
misguided counter attacks, the risk of extremist groups hacking into weapon systems and
obtaining the power of such a destructive weapon, and even the risk of bad maintenance causing
unspeakable repercussions. Every step taken towards the disarmament of nuclear weapons is
worth the work and struggle that comes along with such a controversial and significant topic.
Switzerland is also pressing the ban of the production of warheads and other materials
that are used in creating nuclear arms. Countries like Russia and the US are ready to accept is,
but conflicting countries like India and Pakistan are creating a risk that complicated agreements.
We all just need to keep in mind the ramifications that come with nuclear weapons does not just
affect those who have them or are target of them, but everyone on earth. The closer talks of
peace through disarmament get the better the world will develop. The dynamic structure that we
preside in is in constant danger. With the removal of such destructive threats focus can be
brought on to other issues, such as the economy and quality of life in developing nations, rather
than disputing over weapons of mass destruction. The world can become such a magnificent
place with more structure in place to its safety. Not only will peaceful countries benefit from this
action, but all who inhabit our earth will benefit.