The Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, a group of Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors. This honour recognizes their lifelong commitment to nuclear disarmament and their influential role in fostering global opposition to nuclear weapons.

Nihon Hidankyo Organisation

• Nihon Hidankyo is a Japan based organisation that pushes for nuclear disarmament.
• It also preserves testimonies and memories of the Hibakusha – the survivors of the only two nuclear weapon attacks in human history at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• This recognition shines a light on the critical importance of remembering the horrors of the past to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.
• Hibakusha: The “hibakusha” are the surviving victims of the atomic bombs which fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Their next generations were also affected due to the effects of radiation from the bombs.

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Role Played by Nihon Hidankyo

• Analogy: Just as a child learns not to put their finger in an electrical socket after experiencing a shock, societies learn from past tragedies to avoid repeating them. 
  • Similarly, collecting and preserving the firsthand accounts and memories of the Hibakusha ensures that the world never forgets the devastating human toll of nuclear warfare and avoids indulging in it again.
• Inspiring Moral Reflection: By ensuring that the memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not lost, Nihon Hidankyo has played a crucial role in shaping the moral and ethical framework. The testimonies serve as a constant reminder of the catastrophic consequences of using nuclear weapons and advocate for their complete abolition.
• Advocacy for Nuclear Disarmament: The organisation has been a consistent and vocal proponent of nuclear disarmament, using the powerful stories of the Hibakusha to galvanise global support for the abolition of atomic weapons and the reinforcement of the “nuclear taboo”.

The Limits of Remembrance

Once the impact of war is witnessed only then the trauma behind it can be understood:

• New Forms of Violence: The rise of new forms of violence, such as racism and xenophobia, reminds us to draw upon the memories of victims. By doing so, we can steer our moral compass in the right direction, fostering empathy and understanding in our society.
• Is Our Moral Framework Failing?: Despite the moral power of “witnessing” and “remembering” that have underpinned the nuclear taboo and international frameworks for peace, countries continue to pursue nuclear weapons. For instance, there have been attacks near nuclear power plants in Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing threat.
• Lasting Trauma of War: In the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, key players often engage in vilification and promote “us” vs. “them” narratives making meaningful dialogue and negotiation increasingly difficult. 
• Realpolitik in the Real World: Despite acknowledging the horrors of the past and creating museums to retell the trauma, many countries still emphasise realism—the belief that they need weapons for self-defence.
• Failure of International Institutions: Organizations meant to provide a framework for peace and negotiation, such as the United Nations, have struggled to effectively address the changing global order and the new challenges posed by modern conflicts.
  • Such Organisations have not treated all nations equally. 
  • For Instance: Under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the P5 nations (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council) enjoy more leeway regarding the rules and regulations of disarmament.

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Evolving Role of Remembrance

• Preserving Testimonies: Nihon Hidankyo’s dedication to collecting and preserving the firsthand accounts of Hibakusha stands as a crucial historical record and a powerful testament to the human cost of nuclear weapons. 
  • By understanding the profound impact of these weapons, we would deter ourselves from ever using them again.
• Shaping Moral Frameworks: The memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been crucial in shaping international frameworks and moral norms around nuclear weapons. 
  • Nuclear Taboo: Without witnessing these tragedies, there’s no telling how different our world might be—India and Pakistan could have potentially used nuclear weapons by now.
• Inspiring Action: By preserving the memories of the past, Nihon Hidankyo aims to inspire a new generation of leaders and activists committed to creating a world free from the threat of nuclear annihilation.

Importance of Remembrance in a Changing World

• Global Interconnectedness: In our increasingly globalised world, the impact of mass violence and conflict is felt across borders. 
  • For instance, the Ukraine-Russia war has driven up food and oil prices, affecting the poor, leading to homelessness, and severely impacting African nations.
• Ubiquitous Witnessing: The widespread availability of media and communication technologies has ushered in a new era of real-time witnessing of global conflicts.
  • It presents both challenges and opportunities in terms of public awareness and moral engagement.
• Diplomatic Stagnation: The failure of international institutions and major powers like the United States and China to speak up highlights the need for a conflict resolution approach in diplomacy.
• Reaffirming our Humanity: Ultimately, the work of organisations like Nihon Hidankyo serves as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the moral imperative to prevent such devastating tragedies from recurring. 

Past Tragedies and Current Challenges

• Holocaust: After witnessing the horrors of the Holocaust, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was established, along with the principle of “never again” ensuring the world would never tolerate such atrocities.

• Bombing in Japan: In the aftermath of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, international laws like the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and groups like the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) were formed to advocate disarmament and discourage the use of atomic bombs, which became viewed as taboo.
• Current Challenges: The ongoing conflicts and wars in various regions of the world, coupled with real-time dissemination of information, have led to generational trauma.  Many kids are born in this trauma. The war and suffering are being normalised. Authorianism is increasing.
• In such a time preserving memories of Hibakusha and educating new generations about the horrors of the past and mobilising global action to prevent their recurrence becomes the need of the hour.

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Way Forward

• Strengthening International Cooperation: Foster a renewed commitment to multilateralism and the development of more effective international institutions capable of addressing the challenges of the modern era.
• Prioritise Moral Leadership: Encourage world leaders to go beyond narrow strategic interests and embrace the moral imperative of preserving human life and preventing the recurrence of such devastating tragedies.
  • There’s a pressing need for equal treatment of nations in terms of disarmament and the need for leaders like Gandhi and Mandela.
• Promote Dialogue and Understanding: By fostering an environment that prioritises empathy and moving away from the “us” vs. “them” narratives. 
• Invest in Education and Remembrance: To inform and inspire future generations through the preserved memories and testimonies of those who have experienced the horrors of war.

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