International Meeting
World Conference against A & H Bombs
Session 1
Abacca Anjain-Maddison
Former Senator, Rongelap Atoll
Marshall Islands
Thank you, Mr. moderator for the introduction, and to all, konichua and Iakwe!!
I’m a friend and a sister from the Marshall Islands and I’m thrilled to be here with you once again at this very important conference and to attend the 79th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To commemorate the innocent lives of thousands people who died and suffered from the atomic bomb detonated on August 6, 1945.
The story of the Marshall Islands Nuclear Legacy began immediately after WWII when the United Nation gave administrative authority to the United States over the Marshall Islands. For 13 years the US carried out its nuclear testing program under ground, in the lagoon and the air. A total of 67 atomic and hydrogen bombs detonated in the northern part of the Marshall Islands in which 23 were tested on Bikini, 2 bombs in between Bikini and Enewetak and the rest were detonated on Enewetak atoll. The Bravo shot was one of the bombs detonated on Bikini it was 1,000 times stronger than Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs that almost killed all the crew on the Daigo Fukuru Maru (Lucky Dragon) boat.
The Marshallese people during the time were not made aware about the bomb testing program nor did they understand the devastation it would bring to their land, the food chain, the marine animals, people’s health, livelihoods and culture. The US was very successful in keeping everything in secretary especially when they were studying the people of Rongelap like guinea pigs.
Since then many Marshallese people regardless of where they’re from in the country have died or suffered from cancer. According to the National Nuclear Institute, more Marshallese will be diagnosed with cancerous diseases especially women and girls who are most vulnerable. The Special Rapporteur reported that the nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands had immediate and continuing effects on human rights that resulted in fatalities and serious health complications, and that the radiation had led to environmental contamination and the loss of livelihoods and lands, continued to suffer the adverse effects of radiation from nuclear tests, resulting in elevated levels of cancer, birth defects and psychological trauma that continue to this day, and that Marshallese women and girls suffered disproportionately from thyroid and other cancers and from reproductive health problems.
Last week, the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) hosted the 15th Triennial of the Pacific Women and the 8t for Women conferences was held in Majuro for the first time in Majuro. RMI made a statement calling on the Pacific women and leaders to stand in solidarity with the RMI in the quest for justice, healing and brighter future for the Pacific. Also to commit to eliminate nuclear weapons and disarmament as not only pose threats but also the potential to exacerbate the climate change to catastrophic level.
Today, the people of Rongelap, Bikini and Ujelang remained to be displaced. Many Marshallese have migrated to the US to seek better medical options and opportunities for their young children and families. It is evident in the 2011 census the population in all of the neighboring islands has decreased.
In October of this year a Special Rapporteur on the human rights for internally displaced persons pursuant to Resolution 50/6 of the Human Rights Council.
Also RMI will be submitting reports to the Human Rights council to update on the pledges:
1) adverse impacts of climate change and human rights,
2) negative impact of the nuclear legacy to the enjoyment of human rights,
3) transitional justice for human rights violations stemming from the nuclear legacy,
4) international solidarity and support for the need to apply human rights-based approaches to address the adverse impacts of climate change and nuclear legacies in Small Island Developing States and
5) establishing a National Human Rights Institution.
This year will be the first year for the 20 year long Compact of Free Association between the RMI & the US will be implemented. Some financial assistance is provided although there’s no direct compensation for the personal injuries filed in the Nuclear Claims Tribunal. The assistance include $30 Million for environmental feasibility studies and technical assistance; $10M for environmental program; $15M to improve accessibility of documents and information relating to the Nuclear program and waste disposal including $5M for a museum based on nuclear legacy. To the healthcare sector an amount of $8M for 20 years is made available in addition to the $20M in 2024. This will allow the RMI to contract appropriate medical teams such as oncologist, etc., including improved medical facilities.
In parliament this year, a Resolution was adopted in the pursuit of seeking justice. This is to calling for the RMI Government to initiate the work review and update the Changed Circumstance Petition.
Next year March, the Nuclear victims remembrance day will be hosted on Ebeye for the first time. We’ve already established a coordinating team with the support of the National Nuclear Commission. With that said, an invitation is pre-extended to Gensuikyo and friend from overseas to join us on Ebeye, Kwajalein atoll on March 1st, 2025.
Also, in May, the 40th Anniversary of Green Peace and the Evacuation of Rongelapese people to Mejatto where they reside in exile till this day will be celebrated.
There are many activities being planned as a way of keeping our people not forgetting our nuclear legacy. This is who are now, resilience and survivors.
To end, I wish to express on behalf of the Mayor and Senator of Bikini and Rongelap our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Gensuikyo for sending a team to the RMI last March. It was a successful trip even though the Wotje trip was not realized. Kommol tata.
Let’s join hands in solidarity to eliminate nuclear weapon from their existence for the sake of our future generations and the planet…that is the wish of Late Lemeyo Abon.