Antinuclear

Referendum failure only increases ICAN’s determination for justice for the nuclear-affected Aboriginal people of Australia.

Jemila Rushton., Campaigner, on behalf of all of us at ICAN Australia, 16 Oct 23

On this morning after the failed Voice referendum, let us cement our commitment to work for First Nations justice on this stolen land of Australia.

Let us remember that 70 years ago today, the first nuclear bomb on the mainland of this continent was detonated, on Aboriginal land, without consent, adequate warning or regard for the consequences that began unfolding from that day onwards.

The ‘Black Mist and the Ban’ statement marks this sombre anniversary with a direct call to action from survivors and their supporters in civil society. Read it here. 

The legacy of radioactive contamination has been borne disproportionately by First Nations bodies and land, in Australia, across the Pacific and beyond.

This fact is recognised by the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which also compels states parties to assist victims of nuclear weapons use and testing, remediate impacted environments, and cooperate internationally to fulfil these goals.

We are delighted to launch today this statement endorsed by 132 civil society organisations, representing millions of Australians. They are health, humanitarian, youth, First Nations, union, environmental, peace, legal and faith-based organisations. They call for:

“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons without delay and initiate the process of Australia ratifying it and adhering to its obligations, including to seek universalisation and assist nuclear victims and impacted environments.”

From today until 27 October, the 70th anniversary of the second nuclear test at Emu Field, SA, please take a moment to share this statement. Everyone can help to highlight this history, remember the victims and survivors, and honour the courage of impacted communities fighting for justice and nuclear abolition.

The statement has been signed by more than 130 civil society organisations, including the Australian Red Cross, Public Health Association of Australia, Health Services Union, Oxfam and Catholic Religious Australia, and outlines the escalating threat of nuclear weapons use, and calls on Australia to demonstrate its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament by joining the TPNW.

A few days ago we co-hosted a webinar to mark this significant anniversary with second generation nuclear test survivor and Yankunytjatjara-Anangu woman Karina Lester, who said “these are stories of survival, and courage, and just hard work. It’s not an easy story to talk about. Tears in the eyes, lump in the throat, these stories are difficult, but these stories are important.”

June Lennon, Yankunytjatjara, Antikarinya and Pitjantjatjara woman and nuclear test survivor said “Nobody thought about the effects those bombs would have on our family. But I can tell you that our family is not a well family. We’ve had cancers, miscarriages, birth deformities… We were not considered to be people, human, to have the right to know what was happening in their own country.”

We also heard about the legacy of nuclear testing in the Pacific from Bedi Racule of the Pacific Conference of Churches, the impact on British nuclear veterans from Alan Owen, of LABRAS, research on the Emu Field testing program from author Elizabeth Tynan and the wise words of ICAN Ambassador Scott Ludlam

On this day and every day, we stand firm in our commitment to creating a future without nuclear weapons and seeking justice for all survivors

October 15, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized