28 OCTOBER 2008:   The UNi Human Rights Committee meets this week to determine a list of issues to raise with Australia in March 2009, concerning compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

ICANi has made a submission to the Committee, arguing that Australia is in breach of Article 6 Covenant in respect to nuclear weapons. 

In the 1980s, the Committee issued a strong general comment to the effect that nuclear weapons are incompatible with the right to life under the treaty. It does not appear to have challenged any States party on nuclear issues (although, significantly, praising the Ukraine for relinquishing its nuclear weapons).

ICAN argues that Australia is in breach of its obligations in four ways:

• by supporting preparations for nuclear war carried out at Pine Gap;
• by allowing US nuclear-armed vessels to enter our waters;
• by relying on the "protection" of US nuclear deterrence; and
• by exporting uranium to nuclear-armed countries.