North Korea marked a worrying milestone in its drive to develop nuclear weapons when it tested its first intercontinental ballistic missile this week. The decades-old NPT seeks to prevent the spread of atomic weapons but also puts the onus on nuclear states to reduce their stockpiles. Disarmament campaigners say the treaty will increase the stigma associated with nuclear weapons and have an impact on public opinion. "It stops states with nuclear weapons from being able to hide behind the idea that they are not illegal." "It is beyond question that nuclear weapons violate the laws of war and pose a clear danger to global security," said Beatrice Fihn, director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 07, 2017 20:15 UTC