This day commemorates the closing of the Semipalatinsk Test Site - an inspiring achievement of the people-led movement against nuclear weapons in Kazakhstan, in solidarity with anti-nuclear weapons movements around the world.
Nuclear weapons tests continue to have devastating humanitarian consequences for communities around the world, and today is an important day to educate others and call for the elimination of nuclear weapons.
Today highlight three items in our blog.
1. Open Letter to Boris Johnson by Susie Boniface published
Published in today's Daily Mirror and Online.
Boris Johnson told: "It's time to deliver justice for Britain's nuclear test veterans"
Campaigners have asked the Prime Minister to use his last week in office to fulfil his promise to the victims of Cold War radiation experiments
Politicians and celebrities have joined forces with survivors of Britain’s nuclear tests to ask the Prime Minister to deliver justice in his last week in Downing Street.
They have written Boris Johnson an open letter, urging him to decide whether to “turn his back on our national heroes” or honour them before the 70th anniversary next month of the UK’s first atomic bomb.
The PM met families affected by the Cold War radiation experiments in June, but with only days left in Downing Street has yet to make any announcement about the medal they asked him for.
Both his potential successors have said they support it - but no decision has been made, with officials on leave and all eyes on the leadership campaign.
Mirror editor Alison Phillips said: “It is imperative this medal is delivered quickly, because these veterans are over 80 and have complex health problems. The window is closing for this PM to make a real difference to their need for recognition.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who met the veterans a year earlier than the PM and promised them his support, said: “It’s appalling that Britain’s nuclear test veterans and their families have not yet had justice after years of maltreatment, and I’m saddened that their long campaign is exceeding the life of so many of them.
“The PM has a very clear choice now: deliver on his promise to give real recognition ahead of the October 3 Plutonium Jubilee, or turn his back on our national heroes.”
2. Open Letter published on Change.org for signatures.
The Open letter has been published online to allow you to add your signature to support the open letter and to ensure that the veterans get the recognition they deserve.
It is extremely important to keep up the pressure on the UK Government and to ensure they work with us to recognise the veterans and provide adequate support for them and their families.
3. ICAN Storytelling Website Launched
We are proud to announce that Doug Hern and Eric Barton have provided testimony to ICAN for their new storytelling website.
From ICAN:
As you may know, August 29th is the International Day Against Nuclear Tests. That’s why today, we’re proud to launch a media-rich storytelling page that shares the powerful testimonies and activism of nuclear test survivors: icanw.org/survivingnucleartesting.
This deep-dive into individual stories complements the information packed interactive map website launched at the First Meeting of States Parties in June, to highlight the impact of nuclear tests and activism of survivors through storytelling. Survivors are the experts on nuclear weapons and their stories are powerful. We would be really grateful if you could read and share the testimonies of those impacted by nuclear weapons testing today.
Conclusion
On the bank holiday in the UK, if you can spare the time to sign the Open Letter, it would be very much appreciated. We must never forget the devastation the testing of these weapons caused our planet. The legacy lives on and future generations must be taught and educated.