Citizens Inspections: Authorisation

CWI/2003/CM.2
August 9, 2003

Authorisation for Citizens Inspections pursuant to the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Pursuant to International and Humanitarian Law, and particularly to the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and the 1996 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons, We, the Undersigned, in discharging our responsibilities as Citizens of Countries which have signed and acceded to the NPT, do hereby authorise weapons inspections to be carried out on our behalf by voluntary teams of Citizens Inspectors.

In conformity with the Citizens Inspection Mandate (CWI/2003/CM.1), adopted on July 4, 2003, we authorise the Citizens Inspectors, to inspect, non-violently, declared and undeclared facilities suspected of violating obligations and agreements of international and humanitarian law, specifically the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, including consensus agreements adopted by States Parties on May 11, 1995 and on May 24-25, 2000, as contained in documents NPT/CONF.1995/32 (Part I), and NPT/CONF.2000/28 (Part I), in conformity also with the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons, as contained in United Nations General Assembly document A/51/218 (1996).

Of particular relevance for these Inspections, Document NPT/CONF.2000/28 (Part I) requires States Parties to comply with "An unequivocal undertaking by the nuclear weapon states to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals leading to nuclear disarmament"; "further reductions of non-strategic nuclear weapons"; a "diminishing role for nuclear weapons in security policies to minimise the risk that these weapons ever be used and to facilitate the process of their total elimination"; and commitments to the principles of transparency, irreversibility, verification and regular reporting.

Under the terms of their mandate, the Citizens Inspectors are authorised to inspect for evidence of the presence of nuclear bombs or nuclear weapons-related programmes or delivery vehicles, including evidence of continuing research, development, manufacture, production, testing, siting, deployment, training and exercise, use or threatened use of nuclear weapons. Information is to be gathered on the number and type of any nuclear weapons or nuclear weapon facilities; their provenance, ownership, controlling authority, condition and security measures; and the schedule for removing, dismantling, decommissioning, elimination or closure. Also centres of Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence are subject to inspections.

We expect and require that the civilian and military bodies responsible for the sites designated for Citizens Inspection will provide full cooperation with the Inspectors, enabling them to investigate premises and speak with personnel, as necessary in fulfilment of these Inspections, without let, hindrance, arrest or penalty.

In the interests of Transparency, Open and Accountable Government and the Responsibility of Citizens for ensuring Full Compliance with International Law, the Citizens Inspectors will make public their reports.

Groups who have signed the authorisation:

Century of the Child, USA

Ending War Foundation, USA

For Mother Earth, Belgium

For Mother Earth, Romania

AG Frieden Trier

GlobalCompliance Research Project

GRACE, USA

IPPNW, Germany

New Zealand Peace Council

Nuclear Free New York

Phoenix Angel, Belgium

Santa Cruz Weapons Inspection Team

Syrian National committe to boycott American products

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom

WILPF, L.A. branch

World Congress of Youth, Algeria

World Court Project UK

Prominent individuals who have signed the authorisation:

Kate Holcombe, Weapons Inspector at USAF Fairford, England

Bijayanand Misra, Professor Emeritus & Consultant, New Delhi, India

Douglas Roche, Senator, Canada

Dr. Wolfgang Sternstein, Peace and conflict researcher, EUCOMmunity, Germany

Aaron Tovish, Disarmament Campaigner, Switzerland

Susan van der Hijden, Peace-worker and Plowshares activist, Göteborg, Sweden

Krista van Velzen, Member of Parliament, The Hague, the Netherlands

Hiromichi Umebayashi, President, Peace Depot, Japan

You can also send completed authorisation forms to:

Friends of the Earth
Maria Hendrikaplein 5
9000 Gent
Belgium
Fax: +32 9 242 87 51
pol@motherearth.org