26 EU MEPs, British MPs Call for Nuclear-Free Middle East

26 EU MEPs, British MPs Call for Nuclear-Free Middle East

Twenty Six EU MEPs and British MPs expressed their concern about the United Arab Emirates (UAE) new nuclear plant that may cause new environmental hazards in addition to triggering nuclear race in the Middle East, which is already vulnerable to many conflicts. The 26 MEPs/MPs signed a peitition launched by the London-based International United Nations Watch. The peitiion read: ”It might be also a target for terrorists groups which might attack it in light of the UAE involvement in the Yemen war which will result in a wide scale disaster.”

The United Arab Emirates has launched operations at the Arab world's first nuclear power plant. Nuclear fission has begun in one of four reactors at the Barakah plant, which uses South Korean technology. The plant was due to open in 2017 but start-up was delayed for what officials said were safety requirements.

The petition urged that the Middle East should remain free of nuclear plants as the region is plagued by conflicts and civil wars. ”The possibility of targeting these nuclear plants in light of ongoing tensions in the region and the risk of starting a new nuclear race in the region requires that the Middle East should stay nuclear-free,” the petition added.

The petition, signed by EU MEPs and British MPs, concluded by demanding a free of nuclear weapons zone and other weapons of mass destruction and continuing the ongoing commitment to support all efforts aimed at achieving progress towards this end.

Undersigned:

EU MEPs:

1. Karen Melchior MEP

2. Margrete Auken MEP

3. Kira Marie Peter-Hansen MEP

4. Clare Daly MEP

5. Martin Buschman MEP

6. Ignazio Corrao MEP

7. Grace O'Sullivan MEP

8. Nikolaj Villumsen MEP

9. Heidi Hautala MEP

10. Daniel Freund MEP

11. Kateřina Konečná MEP

12. Mounir SATOURI MEP

13. Mohammed CHAHIM MEP

British MPs:

1. Baroness Harris of Richmond

2. Joan Bakewell MP

3. Lord Nazir Ahmed 

4. Baroness Meacher 

5. Kenny MacAskill MP

6. Allan Dorans MP 

7. Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP

8. Baroness Walmsley

9. Lord Raj Loomba

10. Lord Haskins

11. Andrew Gwynne MP

12. Baroness Miller

13. Caroline Lucas MP