Belarus

Nuclear-weapon endorser

Has not yet joined the TPNW

Summary

Belarus has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

 

National position

Belarus has consistently abstained from voting on an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that welcomes the adoption of the treaty and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”.

 

Treaty negotiations

Belarus did not participate in the negotiation of the treaty at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and thus did not vote on its adoption.

In 2016, Belarus abstained from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.

 

Before the negotiations

Prior to the adoption of the treaty in 2017, nuclear weapons were the only weapons of mass destruction not subject to a comprehensive, globally applicable treaty prohibition. Belarus supported calls in the UN General Assembly fill this “legal gap”.

 

Nuclear weapons formerly in Belarus

Upon the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, Belarus inherited 81 Soviet nuclear warheads, which it subsequently transferred to Russia.

Nuclear-weapon endorser

Has not yet joined the TPNW

[HIGHLIGHTS]

Summary

Belarus has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

 

National position

Belarus has consistently abstained from voting on an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that welcomes the adoption of the treaty and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”.

 

Treaty negotiations

Belarus did not participate in the negotiation of the treaty at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and thus did not vote on its adoption.

In 2016, Belarus abstained from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.

 

Before the negotiations

Prior to the adoption of the treaty in 2017, nuclear weapons were the only weapons of mass destruction not subject to a comprehensive, globally applicable treaty prohibition. Belarus supported calls in the UN General Assembly fill this “legal gap”.

 

Nuclear weapons formerly in Belarus

Upon the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, Belarus inherited 81 Soviet nuclear warheads, which it subsequently transferred to Russia.

[PARTNERS]

International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War

website

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  • International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War

    website