Hibakushas - atomic bomb survivors visit London

Visit to CND offices with Bruce Kent

Two Hibakushas - surviving victims of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - are visiting London this week to tell their stories and appeal for an end to nuclear weapons.

On Monday morning, Reiko Yamada and Midori Yamada visited Maria Fidelis School in Euston, accompanied by Bruce Kent from CND and Pax Christi. They later visited the offices of CND in north London and, in the evening, they gave a talk at Friends Meeting House in Euston.

Since the world's first atomic bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing more than 220,00 people and leaving generations to come with illnesses caused by radiation - the names of more than 475,000 Hibakusha who have died are inscribed on memorials. These are updated annually.

Reiko and Midori said they felt desperate to tell the world what had happened - and to ensure that a third atomic bomb is never used.

Their visit is particularly important - now - when the UN is due to begin meetings to discuss making nuclear weapons illegal - starting on 27 March. Pax Christi International has NGO status at the UN and will participate in events around the Negotiation meetings.

Although the UK is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty - so far the British government has indicated that it will not be taking part in the meetings.

Calls for a ban have also been clearly articulated by successive Popes. During the 2014 Vienna conference on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons Pope Francis said: "I am convinced that the desire for peace and fraternity planted deep in the human heart will bear fruit in concrete ways to ensure that nuclear weapons are banned once and for all, to the benefit of our common home. The security of our own future depends on guaranteeing the peaceful security of others, for if peace, security and stability are not established globally, they will not be enjoyed at all."

To read Reiko Yamada's testimony see: www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=32221