Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots group of atomic bomb survivors, wins the Nobel Peace Prize for their tireless efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.
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| The Hibakusha, survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their advocacy against nuclear weapons, highlighting the devastating humanitarian consequences of their use. Symbolic image |
Stockholm, Sweden – October 11, 2024:
The Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots organization of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. The award was bestowed upon the group for their unwavering efforts to promote a world free of nuclear weapons.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized the Hibakusha, as the survivors are known, for their instrumental role in shaping global attitudes towards nuclear weapons. Through their personal testimonies, they have vividly illustrated the devastating humanitarian consequences of nuclear warfare, fostering a powerful international norm against their use.
Toshiyuki Mimaki, the head of Nihon Hidankyo, expressed profound gratitude for the recognition and reiterated the organization's unwavering commitment to nuclear disarmament. "Nuclear weapons should absolutely be abolished," he stated.
The award comes on the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 120,000 people. The survivors' subsequent advocacy has played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons and in building international consensus against their use.
The Nobel Committee highlighted the Hibakusha's tireless efforts in sharing their experiences through witness accounts, resolutions, public appeals, and delegations to international forums. Their advocacy has been instrumental in reminding the world of the urgent need for nuclear disarmament and in fostering a global movement against these weapons of mass destruction.
The award to Nihon Hidankyo marks a continuation of the Nobel Peace Prize's tradition of honoring individuals and organizations working for peace and human rights. In recent years, the prize has been awarded to activists fighting for women's rights, democracy, and the protection of human rights, demonstrating the committee's commitment to recognizing those who are making a difference in the world.