The immediate, mid- and long-term consequences of any explosion of a nuclear weapon are now known to be significantly graver than was understood in the past. Use of nuclear weapons would have regional or even global effects, potentially threatening the survival of humanity, so all states share the responsibility to prevent any use of nuclear weapons. Yet these weapons of mass annihilation are not prohibited under International Law; the Humanitarian Pledge is a commitment to fill this unacceptable legal gap.
The Humanitarian Pledge was issued as the Austrian Pledge on December 9, 2014, at the conclusion of the Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons. This document, now signed by 121 states, seeks to provide an impetus for the start of negotiations on a treaty that would comprehensively outlaw nuclear weapons.
Read the full text at: www.icanw.org/pledge/