Atomic bomb survivors group Nihon Hidankyo win Nobel Peace Prize,

Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization representing atomic bomb survivors, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. Known as hibakusha, these survivors of the 1945 bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been recognized by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for their contributions to global nuclear disarmament.

Nobel Committee Chair Joergen Watne Frydnes highlighted the group’s efforts, stating that they have “contributed greatly to the establishment of the nuclear taboo.” He cautioned that this taboo is currently “under pressure” and commended the survivors’ use of personal testimonies to advocate against the use of nuclear weapons.

Founded in 1956, Nihon Hidankyo actively sends survivors worldwide to share their harrowing experiences and the “atrocious damage” caused by nuclear warfare. Their advocacy began nearly a decade after the bombings that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On August 6, 1945, a US bomber dropped a uranium bomb on Hiroshima, resulting in the deaths of approximately 140,000 people. Just three days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, leading to Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II.

In an emotional statement to reporters in Japan, Toshiyuki Mimaki, co-head of the group, expressed his disbelief at receiving the prestigious award. “Never did I dream this could happen,” he said, as reported by AFP. Mimaki criticized the notion that nuclear weapons contribute to peace, stating, “It has been said that because of nuclear weapons, the world maintains peace. But nuclear weapons can be used by terrorists.”

The Nobel Peace Prize, which includes a diploma, a gold medal, and a monetary award of $1 million (approximately £765,800), will be presented at a ceremony in Oslo in December, coinciding with the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

According to BBC, Nihon Hidankyo has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize multiple times, including a special mention by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in 2005. The decision to award the prize to this group marks a shift away from more contentious nominees, with speculation that the United Nations agency supporting Palestinians, UNRWA, was also in consideration. However, UNRWA has faced criticism due to allegations involving its members and the recent Hamas attack on Israel.

This year’s prize saw a total of 286 nominations, which included 197 individuals and 89 organizations. Nominations are made by people in positions of significant authority, such as members of national assemblies and governments. Last year, the prize was awarded to Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi for her courageous efforts against the oppression of women in Iran, even as she remains imprisoned for her activism.
(With inputs from BBC)

MT