Nihon Hidankyo, a group of Japanese survivors of the atomic bomb explosion, won the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.
The organization, which includes survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, was recognized by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for its efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
Nobel Committee Chairman Joergen Watne Frydnes said the group had “contributed greatly to establishing the nuclear taboo”.
Mr Frydnes warned the “nuclear taboo” was now “under pressure” – and praised the group’s use of witness testimony to ensure nuclear weapons would never be used again.
Founded in 1956, the organization sends survivors around the world to share their testimonies of the “devastating damage” and suffering caused by the use of nuclear weapons, according to their website. cause.
Their work took place nearly a decade after the devastation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
On August 6, 1945, an American bomber dropped a uranium bomb on the city of Hiroshima, killing about 140,000 people.
Three days later, a second nuclear weapon was dropped on Nagasaki. Two weeks later, Japan surrendered, ending World War II.
Speaking to reporters in Japan, Toshiyuki Mimaki, the group’s co-head, tearfully said: “I never dreamed this could happen,” AFP news agency quoted him as saying.
The decision to recognize Nihon Hidankyo means the Nobel committee has steered clear of more controversial candidates for the peace prize.
There has been widespread speculation that the United Nations agency assisting the Palestinians – UNWRA – is being considered for the award.
Although the organization is the main provider of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, nine of its members were fired for their alleged involvement in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2019. last.
More than 12,000 people signed a petition calling on the commission not to award UNWRA.
There are similar concerns about the nomination to the International Court of Justice.
The United Nations’ main judicial body is currently looking into allegations that Israel committed genocide in Gaza and has issued a statement calling on Israeli authorities to refrain from genocidal actions.
The Norwegian Nobel Institute said 286 candidates have been nominated for this year’s peace prize, including 197 individuals and 89 organizations.
Nominations can be made by persons in positions of significant authority, including members of parliaments, governments and international courts.
Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi won the award in 2023when she was honored for her work against the oppression of women in Iran.
