International 
Council of Nurses
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1201 Geneva
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 908 01 00
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email: icn@icn.ch

   


 
 
 
 

 

Towards Elimination of Weapons of War and Conflict

 

ICN Position:  

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) considers world peace and security to be fundamental to health and development and urges world leaders to do their utmost to prevent war and armed conflict of any kind.

ICN abhors the accidental or deliberate use of nuclear, chemical and biological agents; all of which undermine health and threaten survival. To this end, the International Council of Nurses supports:  

  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights[1].

  • The Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons[2]

  • The Ottawa Convention[3] on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction; and

  • Work aimed at the elimination of weapons used in conflict and war.

ICN calls on national nurses’ associations to work towards the elimination of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, and land mines and the indiscriminate use of firearms.  

Nursing associations can do this by: 

  • Collaborating with human rights groups, lawyers, national disaster prevention agencies, health groups, the mass media and others to create a united front against the production, distribution and use of these weapons.

  • Educating the public and nurses about the social, economic, environmental and public health consequences of nuclear, chemical, biological weapons and landmines.

  • Encouraging nurses to work with groups that develop strategies for action to reduce the threat of these weapons.

  • Lobbying national governments to stop the manufacture, distribution and importation of such weapons.

  • Joining groups working to eliminate these weapons.

ICN further calls on National Nurses Associations to work to prevent the consequences of all types of weapons by: 

  • Actively participating in disaster response and preparedness plans.

  • Preparing health personnel at all levels for the problems and demands associated with caring for the victims of such weapons.

  • Lobbying nations which have not already done so to comply with the Ottawa Convention.

  • Lobbying governments to find non-violent and democratic means to resolve conflicts.

Background: 

There is a growing threat of chemical, nuclear or biological weapons during war, in situations of armed conflict, and as an act of terrorism. The single or combined impact of weapons can result in catastrophic global health and development consequences. The death, injury and devastation resulting from use of these weapons exceed the response capacity of the health care systems or civil defence plans, because of destruction and pollution of food, water supply, shelter, medical supplies and transportation and communication facilities.  

Land mines are indiscriminate weapons which pose a threat to life and development - often years after the conflict is over. Land mines cannot be aimed, but can be triggered by adults, children and animals; they recognise no ceasefire and may go on maiming and killing decades after hostilities cease. Their long-term and persistent use stretches the capacity of health care and other resources for treatment, care and rehabilitation of victims.  

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in the declaration can be fully realised. Peace and security provide the best conditions within which to pursue political stability and disarmament. Racism, religious and ethnic intolerance as well as economic and social inequities are precipitating factors for violent conflict. 

The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses[4] affirms that inherent in nursing is respect for life and dignity of people thus nurses have a responsibility to work towards elimination of these threats to life and health.

Adopted in 1999, revised in 2006

Previously: Nuclear War 

Related ICN Positions: 

·         Reducing Environmental and Lifestyle-related Health Hazards

 

 

[1] United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Adopted 10 December 1948

[2] http://www.un.org/events/npt2005/npttreaty.html

[3] Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personal Mines and on Their Destruction, Ottawa: Canada, 1997

[4] International Council of Nurses, Code of Ethics for Nurses, Geneva: ICN 2000

 

The International Council of Nurses is a federation of more than 124 national nurses' associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide.  Operated by nurses for nurses, ICN is the international voice of nursing and works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.

 

 

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