We, participants of the Tenth Humanist World Congress of the International Humanist & Ethical Union, who have assembled at Buffalo, NY (July 31 - August 4, 1988),

* Reflecting on "Building a world community: humanism in the 21st century" and "The Need for a New Global Ethic",
* Remembering that on August 6, 43 years ago, the first nuclear bombs fell on Japanese cities,
* Referring to the IHEU Declaration on Nuclear Weapons of 1983,

Advocate the necessity of a total ban of nuclear tests.

A ban on nuclear tests reduces the chances of nuclear weapons being developed in an increasing number of states.

Nuclear tests are a threat to ecology, health and the survival of humankind.

Nuclear tests use human, economical and natural resources that might be used for other purposes.

We therefore urgently call on the governments of nuclear weapon states to co-operate in bringing about a total nuclear test ban and to embrace proposals in this respect.

1988 IHEU World Congress