Denny Tamaki won the gubernatorial elections in Okinawa, Japan

Denny Tamaki won the gubernatorial elections on the 30th of September 2018 in Okinawa. Tamaki, who was previously the secretary general of the Liberal Party, is a candidate that opposes the relocation of a U.S. military base on this Japanese island and opposes the construction of the new base at Henoko. The previous Governor Takeshi Onaga unfortunately passed away earlier this summer. Onaga´s policies included a strong position against the presence of U.S. bases in Okinawa. This island, which is located in one of the most southern prefectures, comprises less than one per cent of Japan´s landmass, but accommodates more than two thirds of the U.S. bases in Japan. Continue reading “Denny Tamaki won the gubernatorial elections in Okinawa, Japan”

Seán MacBride Peace Prize 2018

The International Peace Bureau awards the Seán MacBride Peace Prize every year to a person, or organisation, or movement in recognition of its outstanding work for peace, disarmament, human rights.

This year the IPB Board has chosen the following three winners of the prize:

AHDR (Association For Historical Dialogue and Research) and Home for Cooperation

Helena Maleno

Douglas Roche
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David McReynolds has left us

by Colin Archer

Older members of the IPB family will have vivid memories of David McReynolds, who died on Aug.17th in New York City at the age of 88. David was a committed pacifist and socialist, as well as an accomplished photographer. He was on the War Resisters League staff from 1960 to 1999 and was chair of the War Resisters’ International. He was also a long time member of the US Socialist Party, running for President of the USA in 1980 and 2000 — the first openly gay candidate for President — and for the U.S. Senate from New York in 2004 on the Green Party ticket. His very moving photos reveal (among much else) a lifelong engagement with campaigns against war and oppression; and in favour of disarmament and human rights. He traveled extensively, many times to war-torn countries, once getting arrested in Red Square during an anti-nuclear protest in 1978. David was appointed a consultant to the IPB in the 1990s, and was a reliable source of support in all kinds of ways over the years. Many colleagues have expressed great sadness at his passing. David was an outstanding activist who was both resolute and gentle, never afraid to take a bold stand. He was a radical political thinker and writer, a movement organiser, and especially in his later years, a global networker. His family and friends will be planning a memorial service in the weeks to come. See also New York Times obituary.

Nagasaki Commemoration Rally

by Corazon Fabros, speech at the Rally – Nagasaki Commemoration Day

Friends, I am deeply honored and grateful to speak at our Nagasaki Day Rally. I bring solidarity greetings from the Philippines and from the International Peace Bureau.  This year’s commemoration touched me deeply to hear the calls for unity despite our diversity, and the consolidation of our forces across movements, generations and peoples here in Japan.  And most specially the presence of many young people as we have seen during the Peace March and in this hall this morning. Continue reading “Nagasaki Commemoration Rally”

Declaration of the International Meeting, 2018 World Conference against A and H Bombs

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.

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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”