The Marshall Islands' efforts to raise awareness of the negative impact of nuclear weapons have received a blow with the rejection of its lawsuit by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Bikinians in the Marshall Islands being evacuated from their home island after nuclear testing in the area by the United States. Photo: US Navy
The Marshall Islands started proceedings against India, Pakistan and Britain to the ICJ in April 2014, claiming they were not living up to nuclear non-proliferation treaties.
In its ruling the court said the 16-judge panel did not have jurisdiction in the case.
RNZ correspondent Giff Johnson said despite the legal defeat, the Marshall Islands case did receive support.
"In the case of India and Pakistan it was a nine to seven ruling and in the UK case it was eight to eight with a deciding vote for no jurisdiction passed by the president of the court," Mr Johnson said.
"So in that regard the Marshall Islands did get a certain amount of traction with the court."
He said there did not appear to be a route for appeal but the Marshall Islands have a separate case against the United States along the same grounds that was still before the courts.