SOAS Research Online

Abstract

While the current interpretation of humanitarian disarmament focuses only on the prohibition of certain types of weapons that are indiscriminate in their effects or cause unacceptable harm such as nuclear weapons, landmines, blinding laser weapons and cluster munitions, this chapter will argue that the notion of humanitarian disarmament has not always been understood in such restrictive manner. An analysis of the humanitarian motives behind the campaigns for general disarmament arising from the indiscriminate slaughter of WWI and WWII caused by the use of conventional weapons; and the ill-fated League of Nations Disarmament Conference (1932-1933); as well as the more Cold War disarmament; will contribute to getting a better understanding of the connection between humanitarian disarmament and general and complete disarmament. Understanding humanitarian disarmament in the broader context of general and complete disarmament will allow for considering how GCD can develop synergies with existing humanitarian disarmament campaigns. The aim being to highlight the complementary nature of humanitarian disarmament and GCD as two concepts that are mutually reinforcing if operating in the same framework. The chapter will then conclude by a reflection on the contribution GCD can make towards emerging disarmament strategies.