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International Petition to Ban Uranium Weapons

by Open-Publishing - Sunday 6 November 2005
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Demos-Actions Nuclear International Health

International Petition to Ban Uranium Weapons

Uranium weapons, often called ’depleted’ uranium (DU) weapons, are manufactured from radioactive waste materials produced during the nuclear fuel chain and the production of nuclear weapons. They cause widespread and long lasting radioactive contamination of the environment. These weapon systems are radiologically and chemically toxic.

Many people - innocent civilians especially children, military veterans, industry workers - have illnesses and medical problems, which may be due to their exposure to ’depleted’ uranium. In areas such as southern Iraq, where uranium munitions were used by the US and the UK, there have been reports of increases in cancers, leukemia and birth defects.

At least 18 countries possess these weapons, the use of which is contrary to existing humanitarian law.

We, the people, need to let governments and the United Nations know that these weapons can have no part in a humane and caring world. Every signature counts!

We call for your support to demand:

1. An immediate end to the use of uranium weapons.

2. Disclosure of all locations where uranium weapons have been used and immediate removal of the remnants and contaminated materials from the sites under strict control.

3. Health surveys of the ’depleted’ uranium victims and environmental investigations at the affected sites.

4. Medical treatment and compensation for the ’depleted’ uranium victims.

5. An end to the development, production, stockpiling, testing, trade of uranium weapons.

6. A Convention for a Total Ban on Uranium Weapons.

http://bandepleteduranium.org/modul...

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  • Here the list of the axis of evil, countries who own nuclear weapons and are likely to use them: US, Britain and Israel.
    U.S. gave Saddam Hussein the mustard gas for use in the Iraq/Iranian war! They never have been charged for this crime.

    • DEPLETED URANIUM WEAPONS ARE ILLEGAL UNDER ALL INTERNATIONAL LAWS, WAR CONVENTIONS, AGREEMENTS, A 1996 UN RESOLUTION, US MILITARY LAW, AND THEY MEET THE US DEFINITION - UNDER U.S. FEDERAL CODE - OF WMD IN TWO OUT OF THREE CATEGORIES.

      In legal terms a "BAN" implies that the weapons are legal and should for various reasons be "BANNED" from use. A convention to "BAN" weapons means in legal terms that it supercedes all previous war conventions (Geneva, Hague), laws etc. which are cancelled and relieves the US govt and the UK govt from having to pay any reparations for damages already done since 1991.

      THE "BAN DEPLETED URANIUM MOVEMENT" IS A PENTAGON/BRITISH HOAX. It relieves both countries of any responsibility for damages done to the Iraqi, Yugoslavian, and Afghan people. This movement is spearheaded by Dan Fahey (US), Henk van der Keur (Amsterdam), Tara Thornton (US - Military Toxics Project), IDUST (US).

      BASICALLY THIS MOVEMENT REVICTIMIZES THE VICTIMS. DO NOT SUPPORT IT.

      "STOP DU" IS THE PROPER LANGUAGE FOR THIS MOVEMENT. "BAN DU" is a US/UK con job.

  • A global petition is a wonderful idea! I think depleted uranium poses a major health hazard to our troops.

    We are still trying to figure out the chain-of-consequences which led to Gulf War Syndrome. That medical issue has been traced to various causes—including exposure to demolished WMD’s.

    Depleted Uranium is a Weapon of Mass Destruction. Like all WMD, we need to ban their use or presence in the arsenals of all law-abiding countries in the world.

    An international treaty goes far in banning of Depleted Uranium, but ultimately treaty enforcement depends on the willingness of WMD-possessing nations to disclose and disarm. It’s only by keeping alive a healthy spirit of international cooperation and respect for the rule of law that the mission of banning DU—and all WMD—can succeed.

    The scientific evidence of Gulf War Syndrome is still evolving. One third or more of all Gulf War veterans exhibit GWS. Recognition and treatment of the conditions associated with GWS have met resistance from those responsible for our veterans’ care.

    It’s highly unfortunate neither political party in the US is willing to assume a position on the use of Depleted Uranium. DU is a travesty with a long trailing death toll, it’s ongoing use by US military forces imperils them and all innocents on the battlefield.

    Responsible parties willing to evaluate the evidence of DU’s damage to chromosones—among many other side effects—ultimately conclude uranium oxide (DU’s gaseous by-prouct) has a fatal or near-fatal impact on the human body. Genetic mutations ensue, should uranium enter the reproductive system.

    Depleted Uranium’s tiny radioactive byproducts irradiate surrounding cell tissue where they accumulate (typically in lungs). Their half-life means microscopic particles will float in the atmosphere—where they are used as well as globally—for centuries. Its use is a betrayal of all standards governing the proper conduct of war.

    Above all, the use of depleted uranium weapons is a betrayal of our government’s commitment to the troops it sends into battle. They are left to harvest the consequences of using the radioactive waste which makes up DU weapons, along with any others who breathe the uranium oxide gas released when the weapons are used. Ban DU weapons now or betray the troops and threaten every living thing breathing in its toxic vapors.

  • This petition would be worth signing - not just to protect the environment and prevent birth defects, but to disarm the US military.

    Seems like all they use is DU bullets and guided bombs.

  • This has the proverbial, "snowball’s chance in Hell", of even getting of the ground.

    But, thanls for your thoughts.