The 75th anniversaries of the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 2020 renewed focus on the push for the elimination of nuclear weapons from the humanitarian perspective. 75 years is not a short period of time, but we still have the urgent task of nuclear abolition. Among the many approaches, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapon (TPNW) adopted by the United Nations in 2017 is unique in referring to victims of the use of nuclear weapons (Hibakusha) as well as of testing, and focusing on the inhumane aspects of these weapons. Over the anniversary days in August 2020 the TPNW gained four ratifications, and will soon enter into force, when 50 countries and regions have joined the treaty.
Still, however, the world faces the grave threat of the existence of nuclear weapons and a nuclear arms race, despite the 75-year-long plea for their total abolition by Hibakusha, survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as Global Hibakusha – those impacted by nuclear testing, uranium mining and other nuclear development around the world. The Hibakusha themselves have prevented the repeat of nuclear war. Yet as their average age is now over 83 and many have already passed away, the opportunities to listen to their first-hand stories are becoming less and less every day. We, therefore, must continue honoring the Hibakusha by celebrating their lives and work. To honor them we must not simply remember them, but we must discuss possible actions we can take together and individually.
Peace Boat strongly believes it is important to create opportunities for people around the world to listen to Hibakusha while it is still possible. Since 2008 we have been organizing the “Global Voyage for a Nuclear-free World: Peace Boat Hibakusha Project,” in which over 170 Hibakusha have travelled to 100 cities in more than 60 countries. As a steering group member of the 2017 Nobel Peace Laureate the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), Peace Boat continues to play a critical role conveying to the world the inhumanity of nuclear weapons through Hibakusha’s own words. Although it is currently not possible to carry out our global voyages due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have continued various initiatives online to connect Hibakusha with people around the world, including virtual tours of the museums of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, online testimony sessions in seven languages and live-streaming events from Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Based on these experiences, we are excited to now launch a new project, “Every Second Counts for the Survivors! -Peace Boat Hibakusha Project Online-”. This new project aims to make the most of the limited opportunities to listen to first-hand accounts from survivors, and to further strengthen grassroots connections between people around the world with the shared goal of abolishing nuclear weapons. Every second counts for the survivors, to raise awareness of the fact that humanity is still faced with the existential danger of nuclear weapons, and that all of us can play a role in eliminating this threat.
“Every Second Counts for the Survivors! -Peace Boat Hibakusha Project Online-” plans to hold online Hibakusha testimony sessions in more than 190 countries and regions to gain greater support for the Hibakusha’s plea and the TPNW. Among the 190, we plan for 100 such events to be held by the end of 2021, starting in October 2020.
The TPNW is expected to soon reach 50 ratifications required for it to enter into force 90 days later, likely in the beginning of 2021. The first Meeting of States Parties (MSP) will be held within 1 year of the treaty entering into force. This will certainly be an important international conference to step forward for the end of the nuclear age. This project will therefore collect the appeals of global citizens in favor of the TPNW through the testimony sessions in more than 100 countries, and bring them to the MSP along with the Hibakusha’s calls for nuclear abolition.
Testimony sessions will generally be held online, but in-person sessions will also be considered if the COVID-19 situation allows. While past Peace Boat testimony sessions have often been limited to cities with ports at which the voyage could dock, moving online will open up more opportunities for collaboration in different parts of the world. We hope to organize one session per country or region, and particularly to have more sessions in nuclear weapon states and those states under the nuclear umbrella. The number of countries and regions will be counted according to the location of the hosting individuals or groups. The Hibakusha giving testimony will include those exposed to the nuclear bombings in Hiroshima or Nagasaki (of any nationality), as well as Global Hibakusha such as nuclear test survivors or downwinders.
Peace Boat is now calling for partners in this project. Some suggested ways to be involved are:
We are excited and honoured to work together with Hibakusha and partners around the world to make the nuclear ban a global norm, and to realise a nuclear-free world, the long-held wish of the Hibakusha.
The number of ratifications of the TPNW (#nuclearban) is about to reach 50, bringing the treaty into force 90 days later! The nuclear ban treaty is largely thanks to the efforts of Hibakusha (survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki) who have shared their painful personal experiences for the world to better understand the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons.
Peace Boat strongly believes it is important to create opportunities for people around the world to listen to the survivors of the use and testing of nuclear weapons while it is still possible. Now Peace Boat is launching “Every Second Counts for the Survivors! -Peace Boat Hibakusha Project Online-”. Every second counts for the survivors, to raise awareness of the fact that humanity is still faced with the existential danger of nuclear weapons, and that all of us can play a role in eliminating this threat. Please join us and support the project so that their voices can reach more people around the world! #nuclearban#Hibakusha
Contact Peace Boat: email@example.com