Nobel Peace Prize 2024

  • 24 Oct 2024

In News:

The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, an organisation of survivors of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki bombings. In doing so, the Nobel Committee has highlighted the power of their testimonies and the need for disarmament.

Key Points about Nihon Hidankyo and the Hibakusha Movement

  • Nihon Hidankyo:
    • Established on August 10, 1956, as the nation-wide organization for survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.
    • Focuses on the welfare of Hibakusha (A-bomb survivors), promoting nuclear disarmament, and advocating for compensation for victims.
    • Works to share the stories and experiences of Hibakusha, both within Japan and globally.
  • Hibakusha (Bomb-affected People):
    • Survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
    • Played a pivotal role in the global nuclear disarmament movement.
    • Their testimonies have helped create the "nuclear taboo," ensuring nuclear weapons have not been used since 1945.

Role of Hibakusha in Nuclear Disarmament

  • Global Impact:
    • The bombings ignited a global movement for nuclear disarmament.
    • Hibakusha's advocacy has highlighted the human cost of nuclear weapons, shaping international policy and promoting the nuclear taboo.
  • Nihon Hidankyo’s Advocacy:
    • The organization has been instrumental in documenting the effects of nuclear weapons and advocating for their abolition.
    • Testimonies from Hibakusha have been key in raising awareness about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear warfare.

Nobel Committee's Recognition and Current Nuclear Challenges

  • Recognition of Hibakusha's Work:
    • The Nobel Committee awarded the Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo for its role in promoting nuclear disarmament and for contributing to the nuclear taboo.
    • The nuclear taboo is under increasing pressure as new countries seek nuclear weapons and existing powers modernize their arsenals.
  • Current Nuclear Landscape:
    • The US and Russia continue to maintain large nuclear stockpiles, with the US planning to spend over $1 trillion on upgrading its nuclear capabilities by the 2040s.
    • New Threats: Geopolitical tensions, including regional conflicts, raise concerns about the resurgence of nuclear arms races.

Previous Nobel Peace Prizes for Disarmament

  • Past Laureates:
    • 1974: Former Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato awarded for Japan's commitment to non-nuclear weapons policy.
    • 2017: International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) awarded for its efforts to draw attention to the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and push for a nuclear ban treaty.
  • Link with Alfred Nobel’s Vision:
    • Alfred Nobel, the founder of the Peace Prize, made his fortune with the invention of dynamite and sought to use his wealth to promote peace, especially through disarmament.