Letter from World Conference Against A and H Bombs, August 2-9, 2012
For a Nuclear Weapon-free, Peaceful and Just World:
“We call for your participation in and support to the 2012 World Conference against A and H Bombs”
Dear friends,
The summer of the 67th year from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is around the corner. In these two A-bombed cities, the 2012 World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs is planned on August 2 to 9, under the theme: “For a Nuclear Weapon-free, Peaceful and Just World”. We call on all of you who share this desire to express your support to, take actions in solidarity with, and participate in or send delegations to the World Conference.
Sympathizing the Hibakusha’s belief that “humans cannot coexist with nuclear weapons”, the moves seeking for the abolition of nuclear weapons are prevailing all over the world. Anti-nuclear peace movements and a broad range of civil movements are taking actions to urge national governments, especially those possessing nuclear weapons, to start negotiations for a total ban on nuclear weapons. Last December, the Malaysian resolution calling for a start of negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention was adopted in the UN General Assembly with the support of 130 member states. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in October 2011 called for achieving a nuclear weapon-free world for the sake of peace and security of humans, as the world population was about to reach 7 billion. With the Hibakusha in the lead, our consistent call for a total ban on nuclear weapons is echoing throughout the world.
The greatest obstacle to the abolition of nuclear weapons is the “nuclear deterrence theory” which nuclear weapons states claim their nuclear weapons are the “guarantee of security” while criticizing the possession of them by others as threat, and the policy of relying on their “nuclear umbrella” (extended nuclear deterrence) for national defence. However, that more than 20,000 nuclear weapons still exist on earth proves that the possession of nuclear weapons by one state could induce another nuclear development by its opponent. Humans must get out of this vicious circle, and the Japanese government should play its role becoming to the only A-bombed country in the world to achieve the abolition of nuclear weapons.
Now, we are making a fresh start on the movements to achieve a “world without nuclear weapons”. Along with the recent developments in favour of the abolition of nuclear weapons, a variety of grass-roots movements for peace and against war, for democracy, rectifying social gaps for a more just society have been developing all over the world. The 2012 World Conference against A and H Bombs will be an opportunity to further develop joint effort with the United Nations, national and local governments, NGOs and grass-roots movements of the world, and deepen solidarity with such wide-ranging and diverse movements.
In order to make this historic World Conference a great success, we call on you to support it internationally as well as nationally by joining the following activities: Collecting signatures in support of the “Appeal for a Total Ban on Nuclear Weapons” in your workplaces, communities and schools; Holding A-bomb exhibitions to make known the A-bomb damage of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the wishes of the Hibakusha; the National Peace March to walk across the country through May to August; Activities to achieve a nuclear weapon-free Japan by defending Article 9 of the Constitution and the Three Non-nuclear Principles. We also call on you to deepen solidarity with the movements to support the victims of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident and to realize the eradication of radiation damage and a shift of Japan’s energy policy from nuclear power generation to renewable energy sources.
For a nuclear weapon-free, peaceful and just world, let us achieve a great success of the 2012 World Conference as a rallying point where anyone can join, raise their voices and bring the experiences of grass-roots activities from your communities, workplaces and school campuses.
Provisional schedule of the 2012 World Conference against A and H Bombs
International Meeting (Hiroshima) August 2 (Thu)- 4 (Sat):
Aug. 2(Thu) 14:00-19:00 Opening and Plenary Sessions
Aug. 3(Fri) 09:30-12:30 Plenary Session
; ; 14: 00-18:00 Workshops
Aug. 4(Sat) 10:00-11:30 Closing Session
2012 World Conference – Hiroshima August 4 (Sat) - 6 (Mon):
Aug. 4(Sat) 14:00-16:30 Opening Plenary
Aug. 5(Sun) 09:30-15:00 Workshops
Aug. 6(Mon) 10:30-13:00 Closing Plenary
; ; 19:30-20:30 Lantern Floating Ceremony
2012 World Conference – Nagasaki August 8 (Wed) - 9 (Thu):
Aug. 8(Wed) 13:00-16:00 International Forum
Aug. 9(Thu) 10:30-13:00 Nagasaki Day Rally
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