Declaration of the International Meeting

Following is the text of the Declaration adopted on August 4 at the Internaitonal Meeting of the 2002 World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs in Hiroshima:

1) For over half a century, people throughout the world working for peace, indeed working for the very survival of the human race, have prevented nuclear war. They have built a worldwide consensus for the elimination of nuclear weapons. Thanks to the efforts of the New Agenda group and non-aligned countries, at the 2000 NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) Review Conference, the nuclear weapons states agreed on an "unequivocal undertaking" to accomplish the elimination of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution calling for a start to negotiations leading to the elimination of nuclear weapons. These developments represent significant progress in international politics.

In the past year, the world has witnessed the deplorable events of the September 11 terrorist attacks and the war of retaliation that followed. The world is now seriously threatened by new schemes of the leaders of the nuclear superpower, the USA, for the use of nuclear weapons, which took rise from these events. In addition, the heightening tension between India and Pakistan, the two de facto nuclear weapons states, is also a serious concern. Over 30,000 nuclear weapons still threaten the very survival of the human race. It is the common task for all of us who live in this 21st century to prevent the use of nuclear weapons and to get the commitment to the abolition of nuclear weapons implemented.

2) In defiance of the voices calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons, the US Government is preparing scenarios to launch nuclear first strikes in pursuit of its hegemonic objectives. The Bush Administration has set out new nuclear policies, including the withdrawal from the ABM Treaty, rejection of ratification of the CTBT, and promotion of Missile Defense, all designed to establish absolute, nuclear supremacy. It includes contingency responses assuming nuclear attacks on 7 countries, including non-nuclear weapons states, and recommends the development of small nuclear weapons designed to destroy underground facilities. The problems of "terror" and "the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction" are being used as excuses to trample international laws and the UN Charter, whereas these are problems that, by rights, should be resolved through common efforts by the international community. In fact, the US is preparing to make pre-emptive attacks which may include the use of nuclear weapons.

In the United Nations, resolutions are adopted every year, describing the use of nuclear weapons as a crime against humanity and calling for a ban on such use. These resolutions represent the international consensus. Even the UN Security Council, of which the USA is a member, has passed a resolution guaranteeing the security of the non-nuclear weapons states, saying that, "any aggression with the use of nuclear weapons would endanger international peace and security". The new policy of the US Administration discards such international agreements, and has been the focus of concern and criticism from people and Governments throughout the world, including from American allies.

In the case of India and Pakistan, there are long standing territorial disputes involved. There is a real danger that their deepening military confrontation will result in the actual use of nuclear weapons. A peaceful solution to this problem is more urgent than ever.

3) The abolition of nuclear weapons is now more important than ever before in order to defend world peace and ensure the survival of the human race, and to prevent Hiroshima and Nagasaki from being repeated. It is indispensable also, in order to establish a peace order in accordance with the UN Charter, with its principles of respect for the self-determination of nations, equality between sovereign states and the resolution of conflict by peaceful means, without allowing "unilateralist domination" by any particular country.

We demand that the nuclear weapons states that have not yet renounced the nuclear first strike policy should do so immediately and that they should pledge not to use their nuclear weapons. They should cease developing new types of nuclear weapons, resuming nuclear explosion testing, reinforcing their nuclear arsenals and consolidating their nuclear war readiness and put an end to the missile defense program. We demand that all the nuclear weapon states, declared and de facto alike, honor the commitment to achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons.

We appeal to the UN and its member states to recall the agreement that the total elimination of nuclear weapons is the "only guarantee" against the use of nuclear weapons (Final Document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference), and to start actions without delay to reach an international agreement on a total ban on and the elimination of nuclear weapons. We call on the people around the world to make their voices heard and join in the movement to achieve this goal.

4) In Japan, which suffered the atomic bombing, Government leaders condone the nuclear first strike policy of the US Government as "one of the possible options", and have gone as far as to speak about a possible review of the "Three Non-nuclear Principles" of not possessing, not producing and not allowing nuclear weapons to be brought into the country. Under the Japan-US military alliance there are more than 100 US bases in Okinawa and other parts of Japan. These bases are being turned into forward bases for the US pre-emptive strike strategy, justified on the grounds of counter terrorism. The contingency bills put forward by the Japanese Government are designed to integrate Japan into this US strategy and open the road to the use of force overseas by the Self-Defense Forces. As such, the bills are facing mounting protest from the Japanese people.

It is an international duty for the Japanese peopleﾕs movement to oppose every step leading to war, to defend Article 9 of the Constitution and to continue to appeal for the abolition of nuclear weapons. The progress of this movement will also help to develop anti-nuclear peace movements worldwide.

5) The calamities caused to Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the A-bombs and the lingering agonies of the Hibakusha are proof of the inhuman nature of nuclear weapons, and teach us that the only thing to be done with them is to eliminate them. Amidst the heightening danger that nuclear weapons will actually be used, many Hibakusha - the A-bomb survivors - and sufferers from nuclear tests or of other stages of nuclear development around the world are renewing their determination to speak of their agonizing experiences, as well as their hopes. In the meantime, they are also continuing their own struggle for compensation and the improvement of existing relief measures. Let us respond to their commitment and develop solidarity with them. Let us organize hearings of their testimonies, exhibitions of A-bomb related photos and materials and develop other creative activities aimed at making known to the people the world over the damage from the A-bombing and the worldwide suffering that nuclear weapons have caused.

6) From the 20th into the 21st century, there has been a palpable trend worldwide against nuclear weapons and for peace. We must give no quarter to schemes for war and nuclear aggression. In order to find a way forward, let us build the movement and develop public opinion in favor of the elimination of nuclear weapons, transcending differences of thought, belief, religion and nationality. Let us also continue to build cooperation with Governments that share our goal of the elimination of nuclear weapons. Let us develop signature collection campaigns and many other activities in every corner of the world, saying "No to the use of nuclear weapons" and "Yes to the abolition of nuclear weapons". These are our common demands.

In pursuit of a new world order based on justice, peace and democracy, we work in solidarity with movements the world over that are working to overcome hunger, poverty and foreign debt, and for global environmental protection.

Bearing in mind that nuclear violence cannot help but lead humankind to catastrophe, let us unite our efforts for and move forward to a peaceful world set free of nuclear weapons.

No More Hiroshimas! No More Nagasakis! No more Hibakushas! (end)