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Denmark
Nuclear-weapon endorser
Has not yet joined the TPNW
Status
Denmark has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
National position
Denmark has consistently voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”.
Denmark supports the retention and potential use of nuclear weapons on its behalf, as indicated by its endorsement of various alliance statements of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), of which it is a member.
In 2021, the then-minister of foreign affairs of Denmark, Jeppe Kofod, confirmed that there is no legal barrier to Denmark’s accession to the TPNW. However, it would breach NATO “solidarity”, he informed a parliamentary committee.
Political developments
Three former Danish foreign ministers – Mogens Lykketoft, Holger K. Nielsen and Kjeld Olesen – signed an open letter in 2020 calling on current leaders to “show courage and boldness – and join the [TPNW]”.
Public opinion
A public opinion poll conducted by YouGov in 2020 found that 78 per cent of Danes believe that their country should join the TPNW, with just 7 per cent opposed to joining. Furthermore, 65 per cent believe that Denmark should be among the first NATO states to join, even if it faced pressure from allies not to do so.
TPNW negotiations
Denmark 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. On the opening day of the negotiating conference, it joined the United States and several other states in protesting the treaty-making process.
In 2016, Denmark voted against 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”.
In a document sent to NATO members ahead of the vote, the United States “strongly encourage[d]” members, including Denmark, to vote against the resolution, “not to merely abstain”. In addition, it said that, if the treaty negotiations do commence, allies and partners should “refrain from joining them”.
Further information
Nuclear-weapon endorser
Has not yet joined the TPNW
[HIGHLIGHTS]
Status
Denmark has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
National position
Denmark has consistently voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”.
Denmark supports the retention and potential use of nuclear weapons on its behalf, as indicated by its endorsement of various alliance statements of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), of which it is a member.
In 2021, the then-minister of foreign affairs of Denmark, Jeppe Kofod, confirmed that there is no legal barrier to Denmark’s accession to the TPNW. However, it would breach NATO “solidarity”, he informed a parliamentary committee.
Political developments
Three former Danish foreign ministers – Mogens Lykketoft, Holger K. Nielsen and Kjeld Olesen – signed an open letter in 2020 calling on current leaders to “show courage and boldness – and join the [TPNW]”.
Public opinion
A public opinion poll conducted by YouGov in 2020 found that 78 per cent of Danes believe that their country should join the TPNW, with just 7 per cent opposed to joining. Furthermore, 65 per cent believe that Denmark should be among the first NATO states to join, even if it faced pressure from allies not to do so.
TPNW negotiations
Denmark 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. On the opening day of the negotiating conference, it joined the United States and several other states in protesting the treaty-making process.
In 2016, Denmark voted against 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”.
In a document sent to NATO members ahead of the vote, the United States “strongly encourage[d]” members, including Denmark, to vote against the resolution, “not to merely abstain”. In addition, it said that, if the treaty negotiations do commence, allies and partners should “refrain from joining them”.
Further information
[PARTNERS]
Danish Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
CRAS Ensemble
International Federation of Medical Students' Associations
Fredsministerium
Århus mod Krig og Terror (Århus City against War and Terrorism)
FredsVagten ved Christiansborg
NOAH Friends of the Earth Denmark
Kvindernes Internationale liga for Fred og Frihed (WILPF)
Aldig Mere Krig (War No More)
The Peace-movement of Esbjerg
[LOCALSUPPORT]
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Danish Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
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CRAS Ensemble
-
International Federation of Medical Students' Associations
-
Fredsministerium
-
Århus mod Krig og Terror (Århus City against War and Terrorism)
-
FredsVagten ved Christiansborg
-
NOAH Friends of the Earth Denmark
-
Kvindernes Internationale liga for Fred og Frihed (WILPF)
-
Aldig Mere Krig (War No More)
-
The Peace-movement of Esbjerg