Nagasaki Appeal 2006
The 2005 Review Conference of the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), held in New York in May 2005,
the sixtieth anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki, ended without progress toward nuclear disarmament.
There was much disappointment in the atomic-bombed cities,
especially since expectations were running high in that milestone
year. North Korea's nuclear test on October 9 was another
blow to people around the world who have devoted themselves
to the abolition of nuclear weapons. However, we global citizens
will never give up on efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear
weapons.
Specific developments
since the NPT Review Conference hold hope for the future.
Sensible governments, the United Nations, and NGOs have
joined together, learned lessons from the setback, and boldly
risen up as demonstrated by the following: The 60 recommendations
of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission (WMDC) chaired
by Hans Blix, which include the reaffirmation that the goal
should be to "outlaw nuclear weapons"; the realization
of a new and innovative Central Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free
Zone (NWFZ), the first NWFZ of the 21st Century; growing
support for Mongolia's nuclear weapon-free zone status;
the increasing engagement of mayors and parliamentarians
in nuclear disarmament through Mayors for Peace and the
Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament; the Article
VI Forum of the Middle Powers Initiative (MPI) convening
likeminded states and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
to bring about compliance with the nuclear disarmament obligation;
and powerful citizen campaigns to stop the renewal of the
Trident nuclear weapons system in the U.K.
Meanwhile, the surviving
victims of the atomic bombings, the Hibakusha, although
even today suffering from the aftereffects of radiation,
are in their old age standing in the vanguard of the campaign
to abolish nuclear weapons. Last year, the Hibakusha were
nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Although they were
not awarded the prize, the Selection Committee expressed
the highest praise for their activities. In order to expose
the realities of the atomic bombings, more and more atomic
bomb exhibitions and Hibakushas' witness accounts are being
presented around the world every year. Among them, it is
significant that in 2006 one such presentation was made
at a U.S. government-operated museum in Nevada, where the
U. S. nuclear test site is located. Few words are needed
to help those who think of the development of nuclear weapons
as a victory for science gain an understanding of the hellish
scenes that unfolded beneath the mushroom cloud.
This year marks the
tenth anniversary of the historic Advisory Opinion of the
International Court of Justice. The Court found that "the
threat or use of nuclear weapons would generally be contrary
to the rules of international law" and that all countries
have an obligation "to pursue in good faith and bring
to a conclusion negotiations" on nuclear disarmament
in all its aspects.
This year, the sixty-first
anniversary of the atomic bombings, is a new starting point.
In Nagasaki, we have come together for the 3rd Nagasaki
Global Citizens' Assembly for the Elimination of Nuclear
Weapons and conducted enthusiastic discussions over three
days. The opening day was marked by the dedication of a
sculpture in Nagasaki Peace Park. "The Cloak of Peace-Te
korowai Rangimarie" was presented as a gift of friendship
from the people of New Zealand to the people of Nagasaki.
We were greatly encouraged by the participation of young
people in the Assembly, including high school and university
students, who reported on their sustained and broad-based
peace activities.
Bearing in mind the
results of the activities and discussions we engaged in,
and on behalf of global citizens everywhere, we make the
following appeal to the peoples of the world.
1. We strongly proclaim
that nuclear weapons are the most barbaric, inhumane and
cowardly of weapons, and we call upon the governments of
all countries, without exception, to renounce the practice
of seeking security through nuclear weapons.
2. We strongly condemn
the provocative nuclear test conducted by North Korea. We
reject any use of force in response and call for a peaceful,
diplomatic resolution based upon a return to the six-party
talks as well as bilateral talks.
3. Japan, as an atomic-bombed
country, has an extremely important role and responsibility
to fulfill in the abolition of nuclear weapons. We call
on the Japanese government to reaffirm its commitment to
the three non-nuclear principles by giving them the force
of law through enactment of legislation. We give our support
to Japanese citizens calling on their government for a policy
shift as soon as possible from that of dependence on the
U.S. nuclear weapons umbrella and for its support of an
international treaty to abolish nuclear weapons.
4. To address legitimate
regional security concerns, underlined by the North Korean
nuclear test, we call for establishment of a Northeast Asia
Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone. In Japan, we support local authorities
that have made nuclear-free declarations, and encourage
citizens and local authorities to cooperate and strive toward
this goal.
5. The control of weapons
useable fissile material is necessary to prevent nuclear
proliferation. We call upon the government of Japan to reconsider
its nuclear fuel cycle program, including the production
of plutonium.
6. Agreements reached
at the 2000 NPT Review Conference, including the "unequivocal
undertaking by the nuclear weapon states to accomplish the
total elimination of their nuclear arsenals," remain
valid today. These include a diminishing role for nuclear
weapons in security policies; taking nuclear weapons off
high-alert status; ratification of the Comprehensive Test
Ban Treaty (CTBT); negotiation of a verifiable Fissile Material
Cut-off Treaty (FMCT); and the principle of irreversible
nuclear disarmament. We call on all governments to assure
implementation of these commitments. A return to these commitments
should be the starting point of the 2010 NPT Review Conference.
7. We oppose the double
standards that accept some nuclear programs, and reject
others. None are acceptable. We oppose the proposed nuclear
deal between the United States and India. We appeal not
only to the governments of those two countries, but also
to all the governments participating in the Nuclear Suppliers
Group (NSG) to reject it.
8. We oppose the development
of missile defense programs, including those that will lead
to the weaponization of space. The promotion of missile
defenses is serving to escalate competition for armaments,
including nuclear arms, on a regional basis and throughout
the world.
9. We call for the
implementation of the recommendations of the Weapons of
Mass Destruction Commission (WMDC). Let us promote these
recommendations to national governments, parliaments, local
governments, and civil society. Though it is clear that
the United States and Russia need to cut their arsenals
more rapidly and deeply, each of the nuclear weapon states
must undertake further substantial reduction in their reliance
on nuclear weapons. All nuclear weapon states should commit
not to develop new or replacement nuclear weapons.
10. We call for strengthened
efforts to encourage parliaments and local governments to
act for the cause of nuclear disarmament, and to organize
wide-ranging mass movements around the world. Current positive
examples, unfolding on a worldwide scale, include the Emergency
Action Plan of the Mayors for Peace (2020 Vision), the ongoing
efforts of the Abolition 2000 Global Network to Eliminate
Nuclear Weapons, and the new IPPNW International Campaign
to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
11. We endorse and
support the campaigns and civil resistance by British citizens
and others who are acting to stop the renewal of the Trident
nuclear weapons system and to promote the denuclearization
of Europe. Also we encourage and support the campaign of
US citizens against the nuclear weapon policies of the US
government aimed at the indefinite possession of nuclear
weapons, such as the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW)
program, and the development of new delivery systems for
"global strike" capability. We further encourage
and support the campaign of French citizens who are working
to stop the development of new nuclear warheads and missiles.
12. We encourage and
support all member states of Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (NWFZ)
treaties, which constitute almost two-thirds of the community
of nations, and call upon them to play even more active
roles in promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
We encourage the establishment of single state NWFZs and
other regional NWFZs, and especially call on the governments
in the Middle East to commence negotiations for the early
and unconditional establishment of a zone free of nuclear
weapons as well as other weapons of mass destruction.
13. To promote peace
education and learning, we call for the establishment of
public education systems which incorporate the recommendations
of the United Nations Study on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
Education, using a variety of teaching methods and content,
to suit each sector of society, including youth, university
students, the general public, opinion leaders and decision
makers.
14. We call upon the
media and entertainment industries as well as artists everywhere
to help dramatize, graphically depict and awaken citizens
of earth to the dangers posed by nuclear weapons.
15. We call upon citizens
everywhere to add their voices to those of the Hibakusha
in calling for the total elimination of nuclear weapons
before these weapons destroy our cities, our countries and
civilization itself.
23 October, 2006
The 3rd Nagasaki Global Citizens' Assembly for the Elimination
of Nuclear Weapons
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