Side Event to the First Committee: Advocating for Nuclear Justice
Report
By Stella Rose, Jorge Legarda Zagora, Muhammad Ibraheem Waraich, and Asuka Oka | Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and Reverse the Trend
On October 19, the Permanent Missions of Kiribati and Kazakhstan, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and its youth initiative, Reverse The Trend: Save Our People, Save Our Planet hosted a timely event entitled “Advocating for Nuclear Justice.” H.E. Ambassador Akan Rakhmetullin, the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan; H.E. Ambassador Teburoro Tito, the Permanent Representative of Kiribati; Veronique Christory, Senior Arms Adviser for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); Bonnie Docherty, Director of the Arms Conflict and Civilian Protection Initiative at Harvard Law School; and Benetick Kabua Maddison, the Executive Director of the Marshallese Educational Initiative, presented their views on victim assistance and environmental remediation. Christian N. Ciobanu, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) Advisor for Kiribati and the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, moderated the event.
As part of his opening remarks, H.E. Ambassador Akan Rakhmetullin of Kazakhstan discussed the legacy of nuclear weapons in both Kazakhstan and Kiribati and why these two states are championing the cause for nuclear justice. He further highlighted the significance of the TPNW’s humanitarian provisions on victim assistance, environmental remediation, international cooperation, and assistance. Finally, he urged all states to co-sponsor Kazakhstan and Kiribati’s new resolution entitled “Addressing the Legacy of Nuclear Weapons: Providing Victim Assistance and Environmental Remediation to Member States Affected by the Use or Testing of Nuclear Weapons.” H.E. Ambassador Teburoro Tito highlighted the importance for states to come together and unite around the resolution as a family. He underscored the need for states to support the resolution.
Veronique Christory of the ICRC presented a video called What if We Nuke a City. This video discussed the devastating impact of a nuclear weapon detonation in a major city and why it would not be possible for emergency services to adequately respond to a nuclear attack. The video concluded with a call for individuals to support the TPNW.
Elaborating upon the significance of the TPNW and its humanitarian provisions, Bonnie Docherty of Harvard Law School presented a paper on advancing Articles 6 and 7 and the implementation of the Trust Fund. The paper outlines recommendations on national implementation measures, voluntary reporting guidelines, and the international trust fund.
The final speaker, Benetick Kabua Maddison of the Marshallese Educational Initiative, discussed the legacy of nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands. He explained the tragic impact of the United States’ 67 nuclear tests. He further explained the necessity for the United States to declassify data about the nuclear tests and unredact critical information about the nuclear tests. It is imperative for the United States to engage in information exchange and disclose details about the humanitarian and environmental impacts of its nuclear weapons on the citizens of the Marshall Islands.
Ambassador Tito wrapped up by speaking about how despite all the current challenges and threats our world is facing with regards to nuclear weapons, with the bonds of friendship and the familial solidarity of humanity, we can make positive change happen and remove the fear of nuclear weapons forever. He emphasised that we all live on this Earth together and must work together for positive change.