PSR/IPPNW Switzerland - tackling the « radioactive Siamese twins » and considering human rights in the nuclear age

摘要

The civilian and military nuclear technologies have been compared by many to the 'so called' nuclear 'Siamese twins' since they are so closely connected one can hardly separate them. Knowledge of the civilian nuclear technology allows creating materials and technology that can also be used for military nuclear projects. Comprehensive nuclear programs - even if they are purely civilian in nature - therefore often provoke concern that the real intention is the desire to possess nuclear weapons. Most importantly, the inherent quality of ionizing radiation of nuclear energy processes leads to identical severe health effects both by military and civilian utilization. The proliferation of nuclear weapons is a risk that must be taken very seriously. Given the longevity of environmental contamination due to nuclear tests, nuclear accidents and uranium mining, in the interest of future generations human rights aspects must be increasingly taken into consideration. This is presently a focus of PSR/IPPNW Switzerland.