August 6, 2020

The International Peace Bureau consisting of more than 300 organizations in 70 countries on August 4 announced that it will award the Seán MacBride Peace Prize to the International Signature Campaign in Support of the Appeal of the Hibakusha for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

Established in 1992, the prize is awarded to individuals and groups with notable achievements in the fields of peace, disarmament, and human rights.

Explaining the award, the IPB said that since the launch in April 2016, “the signature campaign has been supported by a broad range of prominent individuals and organizations, enjoying great support from people across the world.” It also pointed out, “The collected signatures, total 11,843,549 (as of March 31, 2020,) making it one of the largest signature campaigns ever carried out in the world and a powerful popular force manifesting global demands for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.”

Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations Representative Director Tanaka Terumi, who heads a liaison council promoting the international signature-collection drive, commented on the winning of the prize. He said that the signature campaign has expanded from Japan across the globe, which contributed to the adoption of the UN nuclear weapons ban treaty in 2017. Pointing out that the treaty is about to take effect, Tanaka said, “Under this situation, it is a great honor for the Hibakusha-led campaign to receive the recognition.”

Past related articles:
> Nearly 12 million signatures collected in support of Hibakusha’s appeal for elimination of nuclear weapons [June 25, 2020]
> Abolition 2000 and IPB endorse August ‘Peace Wave’ action [May 27, 2020]