The international ban on nuclear weapons has come into force

(This is being co-published on my two main blogs.)

The International Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which Australia's Nobel Peace Prize winning  ICAN played a key role in formulating, has "come into force". 

That means it is, as of this day, a part of international law. It is now illegal to (and I am simplifying here - text is here) develop / test, manufacture, have, transfer, receive, threaten to use or use nuclear weapons (multi-language version at https://treaties.un.org/doc/Treaties/2017/07/20170707%2003-42%20PM/Ch_XXVI_9.pdf). 

Nations must provide a declaration of their current holdings, move towards total elimination of all weapons, and assist victims, remediate the environment and cooperate with others. 

This is a great day, but there is more to be done, sadly. 

The nuclear armed (Russia, the USA, China, France, the UK, Pakistan, India, Israel and North Korea) and hosting (Turkey, Italy, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands) nations have not signed, nor have some of their key lickspittles - such as my nation, Australia (that would require us to be as ethical as New  Zealand, which is something I doubt Scotty from Marketing could be). 

Despite that, this is, as stated, a great day, and I commend the 87 nations which have signed, particularly the 49 which have ratified and the 2 who have acceded to the treaty.