WWW search Gensuikyo search

to english

Presentation of the Signatures in support of the gAppeal for a Nuclear Weapon-Free Worldh to the 8th Review Conference of the NPT

May 4, 2010
Shoji Sawada, Representative Director,
Hiroshi Taka, Secretary General,
Japan Council against Atomic & Hydrogen Bombs


Dear Ambassador Libran Nuevas Cabactulan,

It is a great pleasure for us to be able to present the signatures in support of the gAppeal for a Nuclear Weapon-Free Worldh to you and through you to the 8th NPT Review Conference.

The gAppeal for a nuclear weapon-free world | to the 2010 NPT Review Conferenceh was proposed jointly by all delegates to the 2008 World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs in Hiroshima, and the signature drive in support of the gAppealh has developed as grassroots movements everywhere in Japan and many other cities in the world.

The total number of the signatures collected reached 6,912,802 by May 3, 2010. Most of them were carried to New York City by more that 1,500 members of our delegation, and to our honor, were presented to you and UN High Representative Sergio Duarte on May 2, 2010 at the Dag HammarskjoNld Plaza. The campaign is continuing until May 28, 2010 with the goal of 12 million signatures.

The signers of the petition we are submitting to you today include 7 Prefectural governors, 872 mayors, 59 deputy mayors and 591 chair or vice-chairpersons of local assemblies. The total is 1,522 municipal leaders, which by far exceed a half of the Japanese municipalities.

The two bombs dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki claimed the lives of some 210,000 citizens by the end of 1945, and are still tormenting about 230,000 surviving victims in both minds and bodies. As US President Obama said, one nuclear weapon exploded in one city -- no matter where it happens, there is no end to what the consequences might be.

On behalf of all who signed the petition, we express our hope for the success in your deliberation, and in this regard:

We call on the Governments of the nuclear weapons states to renew their commitment to the complete elimination of their nuclear arsenals, which they accepted on May 20, 2000, and make every effort to carry it out without delay.

We further call on all governments, on the nuclear weapons states first of all, to agree to commence negotiations on a treaty for a ban and the elimination of nuclear weapons without delay, and conclude it in due time.

Page Top or Site Top

Copyright (C) 1996-2011 Gensuikyo. All Rights Reserved.

Gensuikyo (Japan Council against A & H Bombs)
2-4-4 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8464 tel:+81-3-5842-6034 fax:+81-3-5842-6033
antiatom(a)topaz.plala.or.jp

@