The prestigious Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese organization representing survivors of the World War II atomic bombings, for its unwavering commitment to a nuclear-free world. The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised the Hibakusha, as the survivors are known, for their relentless advocacy against the use of nuclear weapons.
In a statement, the Nobel Committee said, “Hibakusha is receiving the Peace Prize for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again.” The survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have devoted their lives to ensuring that the horrors they endured are never repeated.
The Hibakusha have long been a powerful voice in the global anti-nuclear movement, sharing their personal experiences to illustrate the catastrophic consequences of nuclear warfare. The committee emphasized their role in helping humanity comprehend the indescribable suffering caused by these weapons. “The Hibakusha help us to describe the indescribable, to think the unthinkable, and to somehow grasp the incomprehensible pain and suffering caused by nuclear weapons,” the committee said.
This recognition continues the Nobel Committee’s focus on the issue of nuclear disarmament. In 2017, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) was also honored for its efforts to eliminate nuclear arms.
The Nobel Institute revealed that 286 candidates were considered for the 2024 Peace Prize, including 197 individuals and 89 organizations. The award, which includes a monetary prize of 11 million Swedish crowns (approximately $1 million), will be presented on December 10, marking the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, the founder of the awards.
The Nobel Peace Prize for 2023 was awarded to Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her work promoting human rights and freedom.
Nihon Hidankyo’s recognition underscores the importance of their decades-long struggle to rid the world of nuclear weapons and their commitment to peace for future generations.
