Nobel for N-bomb survivors

• Nihon Hidankyo, an organisation representing the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons.
• The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized it as a grassroots movement that has given a voice to the survivors, known as Hibakusha, and brought attention to the devastation caused by nuclear warfare.

The Formation of Nihon Hidankyo:

• Nihon Hidankyo was established on August 10, 1956, during the 2nd World Conference against A and H Bombs (atomic and hydrogen bombs). The conference itself began a year earlier, in 1955, as a reaction to growing global condemnation of nuclear weapons following the US hydrogen bomb test on March 1, 1954. This test heightened awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons, leading to the creation of this powerful survivor-led movement.

Hibakusha: The Voice of Survivors:

• The term Hibakusha refers to the survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Nihon Hidankyo has worked tirelessly to share the personal testimonies of these survivors, educating the world on the “incomprehensible pain and suffering” caused by nuclear weapons.
• The Nobel Committee emphasized the significance of these testimonies in raising awareness about the devastating human cost of nuclear warfare.

Advocacy for a Nuclear-Free World:

• Nihon Hidankyo's efforts extend beyond survivor testimony. In 1975, the co-chairperson of the organisation, Yukimune Hajime, presented a petition to the United Nations, calling for a total ban on nuclear weapons.
• This petition led to international investigations into the impact of the bombings on the Hibakusha, helping to document the long-term damage caused by nuclear weapons.
• In 1985, Nihon Hidankyo sent delegations to the five recognized nuclear-armed states to petition their governments for the elimination of nuclear weapons. These actions have contributed to a growing global discourse on nuclear disarmament.

Previous Recognition and Continued Advocacy:

• Nihon Hidankyo has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times, and in 2005, Professor Ole Danbolt Mjøs, the chairperson of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, acknowledged and saluted the efforts of the Hibakusha in his speech.
• In 2010, the organisation was awarded the Peace Summit Award for Social Activism at the 11th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.

The Legacy of Nihon Hidankyo:

• As of March 1999, there were about 300,000 Hibakusha living in Japan, with several thousand more residing in Korea and other parts of the world. Nihon Hidankyo continues to collaborate with organisations around the globe, advocating for the rights and well-being of survivors and striving for a world free of nuclear weapons.

Conclusion:

• The Nobel Peace Prize for Nihon Hidankyo is a powerful recognition of its decades-long fight to ensure that nuclear weapons are never used again. By amplifying the voices of the Hibakusha, the organisation has played a crucial role in global efforts toward nuclear disarmament, standing as a testament to the resilience and commitment of the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.