The Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots coalition composed of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has been honored with the Nobel Peace Prize.
Members of this group, often referred to as Hibakusha, are living witnesses to the catastrophic aftermath of the only two nuclear attacks ever executed in warfare. These individuals have committed their lives to the relentless pursuit of a world devoid of nuclear arsenals.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, in their official citation, stated, “Hibakusha is being recognized for its tireless efforts to establish a nuclear-free world and for providing powerful testimonies that underscore the imperative that nuclear arms must never be unleashed again.”
Furthermore, the committee remarked, “The Hibakusha allow us to articulate the inexpressible, to contemplate the inconceivable, and to begin to comprehend the overwhelming anguish and devastation inflicted by nuclear weaponry.”
Survivor Mr. Mimaki expressed that this recognition signifies a significant impetus for their advocacy work, reinforcing the idea that abolishing nuclear arms is indeed attainable. “This award will serve as a compelling call to the global community,” he noted, “proving that a world without nuclear weapons and a lasting peace are possible. The eradication of nuclear arms is not just necessary but an absolute requirement.”
BREAKING NEWS: The Norwegian Nobel Committee has chosen to bestow the 2024 #NobelPeacePrize upon the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo. This grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors, the Hibakusha, is receiving the prize for its unwavering commitment to peace… pic.twitter.com/YVXwnwVBQO
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 11, 2024
Without specifying any nations, Joergen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, cautioned against the idea that nuclear states should entertain the thought of deploying nuclear weapons. “Modern nuclear arms possess a vastly superior capacity for destruction. They can annihilate millions and wreak havoc on our planet’s climate,” he alerted journalists during a press briefing. “Engaging in nuclear conflict could mean the end of our civilization.”
Mr. Frydnes praised the remarkable endeavors of Nihon Hidankyo and other Hibakusha representatives as they strive to cultivate what he termed the “nuclear taboo.” He expressed concern, saying, “It is disquieting that this taboo against deploying nuclear arms faces current threats.”
Next year’s 80th anniversary will commemorate the United States’ devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, an atrocity that continues to reverberate through history.
By awarding this prize, the committee aims to spotlight the perilous circumstances enveloping the globe today, particularly highlighting the escalating tensions between China and the United States, and the frayed relations between Russia and the United States, which Dan Smith, the head of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, described as “the most toxic since the Cold War’s conclusion.”
Mr. Smith emphasized, “In any military altercation, there exists a risk of escalation to nuclear arms… Nihon Hidankyo serves as an essential voice, reminding us of the catastrophic consequences that come with nuclear weapons.” He added that the committee has executed a “triple strike” with this recognition: raising awareness about the human toll endured by nuclear bomb survivors, emphasizing the threats posed by these weapons, and reminding the world that humanity has miraculously avoided their deployment for nearly 80 years.
Historically, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has consistently highlighted nuclear weapons issues, recently recognizing ICAN, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, in 2017.
Notably, this announcement marks the fifth Nobel award announced this week, joining categories such as literature, chemistry, physics, and medicine. In 2023, imprisoned Iranian women’s rights activist Narges Mohammadi was among the recipients.
The Nobel Peace Prize, valued at 11 million Swedish crowns—approximately €1 million—is set to be awarded in Oslo on December 10, commemorating the anniversary of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel’s passing, who established these prestigious awards in his will in 1895.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
