In particular, the threat to peace is now fearfully increased by nuclear doctrines of first use. This long-held and dangerous commitment in the USA and Nato has been matched by the Putin Doctrine in Russia, ratified on 21st April 2000. Nuclear confrontation, reviving the discredited idea of limited nuclear warfare, will once again bring terror into international relations, as a workaday part of the new international order. In this context, democracy itself will be threatened, and the very idea of security undermined. The idea that human rights could be upheld by military intervention was never very plausible.
Nuclear intervention is even more unthinkable.
Facing this dire prospect, we invite other Europeans, peace organisations and human rights proponents to come together to consider rational alternatives which can sustain peace and human rights, and to work for military disengagement and the annulment of nuclear confrontation. We commend the idea of a nuclear-free zone in Europe, as a step to global nuclear disarmament. Email your endorsement of The Russell Appeal for a Conference on Peace and Human Rights and a nuclear-free zone in Europe to us. You are also invited to send any suggestions of other people or organisations which would be interested in this appeal.