The Case Against the Bomb: Marshall Islands, Samoa, and Solomon Islands before the International Court of Justice in Advisory Proceedings on Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons.

The United Nations Missions of Solomon Islands, Samoa and the Marshall Islands have announced the publication of The Case Against the Bomb: Marshall Islands, Samoa, and Solomon Islands before the International Court of Justice in Advisory Proceedings on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was asked in 1993 and 1994 by the World Health Organization and the United Nations General Assembly for advisory opinions on whether the threat or use of nuclear weapons breached or was permitted by international law. Between 30 October and 15 November 1995, the Court heard oral arguments from representatives of 22 States. Over 40 States made written submissions. Never before were there so many participants in an ICJ advisory proceeding. The Court handed down its opinions on 8 July 1996.

Working together, the counsellors of Solomon Islands, Samoa and the Marshall Islands presented their coordinated arguments that the threat or use of nuclear weapons in all circumstances violated international law. Of the 14 Judges who heard the case, 3 agreed with the Pacific coalition, but the majority would only go so far as to conclude that "the threat or use of nuclear weapons would generally be contrary to the rules of international law applicable in armed conflict, and in particular the principles and rules of humanitarian law", but "in view of the current state of international law ... the Court cannot conclude definitively whether the threat or use of nuclear weapons would be unlawful in an extreme circumstance of self-defense, in which the very survival of a State would be at stake". At the United Nations and elsewhere, the Court's main advisory opinion has become a significant element in the nuclear disarmament debate.

The volume of documentation generated by the proceedings is sizeable and not easily available to the layperson. The Case Against the Bomb brings together the written observations and oral presentations by Solomon Islands, Samoa and Solomon Islands, their joint answers to questions asked by the judges, and the Court's advisory opinion.

The case marks the first appearance of Solomon Islands, Samoa and the the Marshall Islands before the ICJ. Lawyers of four nuclear Powers argued against them.