Mines Action Canada congratulates the Japanese Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations - Nihon Hidankyo - on receiving the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. This well-deserved honour recognizes the importance of activism by the survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The hibakusha, the survivors of the atomic bombs, have worked for decades raising awareness of the impact of nuclear weapons so that they would be the only generation to face that horror. This recognition of their commitment to a future without nuclear weapons, comes at a time when the risk of nuclear weapons use is as high as ever.
As a leading humanitarian disarmament organization in Canada and a member of 2017 Nobel Peace Laureate the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Mines Action Canada has had the honour of working alongside hibakusha from Nihon Hidankyo during the process to negotiate the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and beyond. Most recently we were pleased to host two hibakusha at a public event in Vancouver, BC, in July 2024, alongside Simon Fraser University and Japanese NGO, Peace Boat. Their testimonies and tireless campaigning have brought a human face to nuclear disarmament and provided true expertise on what nuclear weapons actually do to people. Nihon Hidankyo and the hibakusha exemplify the importance of survivor advocacy in humanitarian disarmament.
“Today’s award recognizes Nihon Hidankyo and the hibakusha’s bravery in sharing their personal stories to convince decision makers that nuclear weapons are unacceptable and must be prohibited then eliminated. I don’t know if I would have the courage to relive the worst day of my life over and over again but these survivors have found it and more, working for decades to prevent others from suffering as they and their families have,” said Executive Director, Erin Hunt. “The Nobel Peace Prize Committee has recognized that listening to them and taking their expertise seriously is key to forever eliminating nuclear weapons.”
Mines Action Canada urges the Government of Canada to listen to Nihon Hidankyo and join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Nuclear weapons must be prohibited and then eliminated to ensure that no one else suffers as they have.
Next year will mark the 80th anniversary of the catastrophic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is more important than ever that the voices of the survivors and their urgent calls for action are heard and acted upon.
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