US, UK, France, China and Russia are hiding the truth about the horrors of nuclear weapons – ICAN

…Review conference ends without agreement as disarmament push stalls

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons has accused nuclear-weapon states, including the US, UK, France, China and Russia, of deliberately suppressing evidence on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, as global disarmament negotiations have ended in stalemate.

The accusation came as the 11th review conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty ended in New York without a final consensus document, after weeks of tense negotiations marked by deep divisions between nuclear powers and non-nuclear states.

According to ICAN, efforts by most participating countries to strengthen commitments toward nuclear risk reduction and eventual elimination have been repeatedly blocked by nuclear-weapon states and their allies, who have resisted references to established scientific findings about the catastrophic humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons.

The conference, which examined global compliance with the decades-old nonproliferation framework, ended without agreement on key issues including the language of disarmament, rules on nuclear testing and responsibility for the use and development of nuclear weapons.

…Controversy over humanitarian impact

During the talks, a broad coalition of non-nuclear states reportedly cited evidence from global humanitarian bodies, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), warning that any nuclear detonation would result in mass civilian casualties, long-term environmental destruction and irreversible health consequences.

However, ICAN said nuclear-armed countries actively opposed the inclusion of such references in the final draft, with some challenging the scientific consensus on the extent of destruction such weapons would cause.

“There is a reason why countries that claim protection from nuclear weapons are afraid to discuss what these weapons actually do to people and the environment,” said ICAN Programs Director Susi Snyder.

“They don’t want the world to fully understand the horror, because that undermines the legitimacy of keeping these weapons.”

..Testing concerns resurface

The talks also highlighted growing disagreement over the global moratorium on nuclear tests. Some states have questioned whether a binding rule against nuclear tests still exists, while efforts to push for full ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty have stalled.

ICAN has warned that the weakening of consensus could open the door to new nuclear tests, amid recent political signals from major powers suggesting a possible reconsideration of test policies after decades of restraint.

Growing geopolitical tensions

Delegates also clashed over nuclear sharing agreements, expanded deterrence strategies and military alliances involving the deployment of nuclear weapons.

Although countries expressed concern about the escalation of nuclear signals by major powers, including recent missile tests and military exercises, no consensus was reached on condemning or even formally recognizing such developments in the final text.

… TPNW sidelined in talks

The conference also failed to recognize the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, despite its adoption by a majority of UN member states as a legal framework aimed at completely banning nuclear weapons.

ICAN said the refusal to refer to the treaty reflects continued resistance by nuclear-armed states to any binding path to disarmament.

… Global safety warning

ICAN Executive Director Melissa Parke described the outcome of the conference as a “wake-up call”, insisting that global sentiment is strongly in favor of eliminating nuclear weapons despite political resistance from powerful states.

He urged countries opposed to nuclear weapons to step up diplomatic pressure ahead of upcoming United Nations meetings, warning that the continued stalemate increases global security risks.

The NPT review cycle is expected to continue with preparatory sessions in Vienna in 2028, but analysts warn that without renewed political commitment, the global disarmament agenda could continue to stall amid rising geopolitical tensions.

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