The atomic bombs used by the United States of America on August 6 and 9, 73 years ago brought on the unprecedented tragedies to Hiroshima and Nagasaki that the humans had ever experienced in history. The two cities were totally ruined in an instant, and the lives of some 210,000 people were lost by the end of the year. The Hibakusha who barely survived the moment have been tormented by the after-effects of the bombs, including radiation. The nuclear weapons, which cause catastrophic humanitarian consequences, should never be used again for any reason whatsoever. Assembled here in Hiroshima, we decry that nuclear weapons remain the greatest threat to the survival of the human race and therefore call for actions to completely eliminate them without any further delay.
Peace Education
In a Perilous Time
by Joseph Gerson
Speech at the World Conference against A- & H- Bombs in Hiroshima
“Freedom of thought is the only guarantee against an infection of mankind by mass myths, which, in the hands of treacherous hypocrites and demagogues, can be transformed into bloody dictatorships.”
Andrei Sakharov
An open letter by Gloria Steinem, Noam Chomsky, John Dean, Governor Bill Richardson, Walter Mosley, Michael Moore, Valerie Plame, and others
Common Ground: For Secure Elections and True National Security
Many Americans remain deeply concerned about reports of Russian interference with the 2016 election. Meanwhile, relations between the United States and Russia are at their lowest and most dangerous point in several decades. For the sake of democracy at home and true national security, we must reach common ground to safeguard common interests—taking steps to protect the nation’s elections and to prevent war between the world’s two nuclear superpowers. Continue reading “An open letter by Gloria Steinem, Noam Chomsky, John Dean, Governor Bill Richardson, Walter Mosley, Michael Moore, Valerie Plame, and others”
In Memoriam: Horst Stasius
Many people like to talk of internationalism and solidarity. Horst Stasius, who has died aged 84, was someone who truly lived it.
Born in The Hague in the year Hitler came to power, Horst grew up in a German family who had gone abroad only to see their adopted country occupied. The family returned to Germany soon after, when his father, Otto, was called up. Continue reading “In Memoriam: Horst Stasius”
Declaration of the International Meeting Against Foreign Military Bases
June 29th, 2018, Kaiserslautern Germany
Attendees from Germany, Netherlands, France, UK, South Korea, Spain, Italy, USA, Ireland, Greece, Austria, Switzerland agree to the following
Whereas:
- The EU/US/NATO plays a key role in the creation of unequal economic conditions, wars and armed conflicts, and environment destruction that cause people to flee from their homes, seeking safety and sanctuary in Europe;
- Increasing levels of military spending are contributing to these conditions;
- Security and defence interests focusing on the security of states, power elites, and cooperate interests comes at the expense of individuals’ personal security;
- Over 30 000 people are estimated to have lost their lives attempting to find sanctuary in Europe over the last 25 years and countless thousands, possibly millions, have died in their own countries;
- The EU has put measures in place for open borders for weapons and soldiers, but not for people.
We oppose:
- The militarization of EU border security that serves the interests of the military and security industry and endangers the lives of people seeking sanctuary in Europe;
- The aims and actions of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, tasked with border control of the Schengen Area, in coordination with national border and coast guard bodies;
- All migrant detention and long-term processing centres inside and outside Europe’s borders.
And we call on the EU to:
- Ensure safe and legal crossing of sea and land borders around and within Europe, thereby opening the borders for people fleeing from conflict and famine;
- Reduce military spending and invest in fair, just and equitable conditions for development and trade;
- End the sale and export of arms and weapons’ components.
Stop the wars and not the refugees!
Contact:
Aktionsbüro Stopp Airbase Ramstein
c/o IALANA
Marienstr. 19/20
10117 Berlin
Germany
info@ramstein-kampagne.eu
Photos from the week of actions can be seen here.
IPB Statement: Korea Summit In Singapore
The International Peace Bureau welcomes the commitment of President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jung-un to meet at the June 12 summit in Singapore. Even as many issues related to military, human and political rights, and regional tensions will not be addressed in the summit, it holds the promise of ending nearly 70 years of disastrous war and preparations for war that have disproportionally impacted North and South Korea. Continue reading “IPB Statement: Korea Summit In Singapore”
CND Press Release: US-North Korea peace summit pulls world back from the brink
Anti-nuclear campaigners have responded to today’s peace summit between Chairman Kim Jong-un and President Trump.
Kate Hudson, CND general secretary, said:
“Today’s summit between President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un is a very positive development. At a time of escalating militarisation and increasingly dangerous policy developments – the US’s new nuclear posture review and recent strategic defence review to name but two – an outbreak of dialogue in an exceptionally tense region is a welcome step.
“Some take the view that the summit statement says nothing new, but the key is that the summit took place. Just months ago we were looking at the possibility of nuclear war. Today the world has pulled back from the brink. Only cynics would think that a negligible achievement.
“The statement itself crucially recognises both sides’ primary concerns. Trump has committed to providing security guarantees to Pyongyang, and Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed his commitment to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Beyond the formal texts, subsequent remarks may help to make the good intentions real: Trump says he will halt his provocative ‘war games’ – exercises that include flying nuclear capable bombers close to North Korea’s border. And Kim says North Korea will destroy nuclear test centres, so both sides are contributing to denuclearisation.
“These are small steps but much to be welcomed as the peninsula moves towards bringing a formal end to the Korean war and embracing more peaceful future”.
The Treaty On The Prohibition Of Nuclear Weapons – Analysis and Perspectives
In cooperation with the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung New York Office IPB published a booklet depicting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in May 2018.
South Korea: Stop the imprisonment of conscientious objectors!
On 15th of May 2018, in front of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Berlin/Germany
Korea is a divided nation. The tensions with North Korea, ever since the end of the Korean War 1953, are the reason for high militarization in South Korea. The country has a population of 50 million people and an army that consists of 650.000 men and women, which is the fifth biggest army in the world. At the same time, South Korea is an economic power in East Asia and an ally of the USA. All men are liable to military service and have to serve between 21 and 24 months. Anyone who goes against this has to pay a high price. Continue reading “South Korea: Stop the imprisonment of conscientious objectors!”
TWO MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT – How do we move from geopolitical conflict to nuclear abolition?
The conference was convened to analyze and warn about the current nuclear dangers, to raise the UN Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty and other disarmamentinitiatives, and to build gobal movement for peace and complete nuclear disarmament.