George

George Farebrother

After retiring as Head of History at a State Secondary School, George Farebrother became UK Secretary of the World Court Project, working with his wife, Jean, from his home in Sussex. The Project is an international citizens’ network which worked to obtain an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice (World Court) on the legal status of nuclear weapons in 1996. George Farebrother, apart from setting up a network in the UK, promoted individual Declarations of Public Conscience. 3.7 million of these, in 37 languages, were collected and sent to the Court.

On 8 July 1996 the Court announced that both the threat and use of nuclear weapons would

generally be illegal under international humanitarian law. In addition the Court unanimously decided that "there exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in al its aspects under strict and effective international control."
George Fare-brother works with World Court Project supporters to raise awareness of the Court's Advisory Opinion and its implications among the media, politicians and the public. He works closely with other anti-nuclear groups worldwide and makes a special point of providing information and practical help on a personal basis. he also likes to work with groups in his own area because this is where his involvement with peace activities started.

George Farebrother is now working as civil society co-ordinator of a coalition of international citizens' groups, including scientists, engineers, lawyers and physicians. They are preparing a resolution for the United Nations General Assembly. This will ask the World Court whether the nuclear states are complying with their Good Faith obligations.

He also works with Abolition 2000, a global network to eliminate nuclear weapons and is a vice chair of the UK core group. He is secretary of the Sussex Peace Alliance, treasurer of Peacerights and the Institute for Law and Peace, Secretary of Eastbourne for Peace and Liberty, and a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).