July 5, 2020
On the occasion of the third anniversary of the adoption of the UN treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons, about 50 atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha) on July 4 assembled in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome in the A-bombed city of Hiroshima and called for the early enforcement of the treaty.
The event was co-hosted by the Hiroshima Prefectural Council against A & H Bombs (Hiroshima Gensuikyo) and the Hiroshima Federation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo). Appealing to passersby and A-bomb museum visitors, participating Hibakusha held up banners and posters reading, "What Hibaskusha want is the enforcement of the anti-nuke treaty. We want it now for the elimination of nuclear weapons!"
Takahashi Nobuo, 81, a Hiroshima Gensuikyo representative director, pointed out that nuclear weapons states deny the need for the treaty by sticking to the logic that "nuclear weapons are necessary to protect their own interests and security". Takahashi said, "Many governments are proactively working for the early enforcement of the treaty. We Hibakusha must also work hard to collect more 'Hibakusha Appeal' international signatures and to corner the countries under the nuclear umbrella as well as nuclear weapons states so that the treaty can come into effect as early as possible."
Sakuma Kunihiko, 75, who heads the Hiroshima Hidankyo, said that 38 countries ratified the treaty as of now, adding, "With 12 more countries, the treaty will enter into force. If it takes effect, it will delegitimize nuclear weapons states who justify the strategy of nuclear deterrence."
Yano Miyako, 89, who was exposed to radiation at the age of 14, said, "I lost many friends in the war. I strongly believe that war must nevek0707r be allowed to happen again."
Past related article:
> Nearly 12 million signatures collected in support of Hibakusha’s appeal for elimination of nuclear weapons [June 25, 2020]
The event was co-hosted by the Hiroshima Prefectural Council against A & H Bombs (Hiroshima Gensuikyo) and the Hiroshima Federation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hiroshima Hidankyo). Appealing to passersby and A-bomb museum visitors, participating Hibakusha held up banners and posters reading, "What Hibaskusha want is the enforcement of the anti-nuke treaty. We want it now for the elimination of nuclear weapons!"
Takahashi Nobuo, 81, a Hiroshima Gensuikyo representative director, pointed out that nuclear weapons states deny the need for the treaty by sticking to the logic that "nuclear weapons are necessary to protect their own interests and security". Takahashi said, "Many governments are proactively working for the early enforcement of the treaty. We Hibakusha must also work hard to collect more 'Hibakusha Appeal' international signatures and to corner the countries under the nuclear umbrella as well as nuclear weapons states so that the treaty can come into effect as early as possible."
Sakuma Kunihiko, 75, who heads the Hiroshima Hidankyo, said that 38 countries ratified the treaty as of now, adding, "With 12 more countries, the treaty will enter into force. If it takes effect, it will delegitimize nuclear weapons states who justify the strategy of nuclear deterrence."
Yano Miyako, 89, who was exposed to radiation at the age of 14, said, "I lost many friends in the war. I strongly believe that war must nevek0707r be allowed to happen again."
Past related article:
> Nearly 12 million signatures collected in support of Hibakusha’s appeal for elimination of nuclear weapons [June 25, 2020]
