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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Letter to the UN and All Member States

The 2006 World Conference against A & H Bombs in Nagasaki City on August 9 adopted the following "Letter to the U.N. and all member states," calling for immediate start of negotiations toward conclusion of a treaty totally banning nuclear weapons:

Assembled in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the two cities that suffered the first nuclear hell for humans, we sincerely call on the United Nations and all its member states to take actions to establish a nuclear weapon-free, peaceful and just world.

Today, at this very moment, the ruthless exchange of force and violence is taking the lives of innocent citizens everywhere. We are all concerned about the escalation of hostilities and the outbreak of new conflicts. The United Nations, recalling its resolution "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which...has brought untold sorrow to mankind (U.N. Charter)", should make every effort for the peaceful settlement of conflicts.

Now, 61 years after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the agonies of the Hibakusha, including suffering from radiation, still continue. Such tragedies must never be repeated. The use of nuclear weapons is a crime against humanity.

We are deeply concerned that leaders of major powers are actually considering to use nuclear weapons on the ground of "preventing terrorism and proliferation" and are developing new types of nuclear weapons. We also reject attempts by any new states to acquire nuclear weapons for whatever reasons. A total ban and elimination of nuclear weapons is the only way to ensure the survival and security of humankind.

Already 60 years have passed since the U.N. pledged the "elimination from national armaments of atomic weapons" (First Resolution of the U.N.). For over half a century, we have appealed for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Combined with the efforts made by the national governments sharing the same goal, this appeal is now forming the major current in the world. The U.N. General Assembly sessions have many times confirmed with the support of the overwhelming majority of member states the goal of the elimination of nuclear weapons. Reaching this goal depends on the decision of the nuclear weapons states and actions taken by all the governments.

We urge the forthcoming U.N. General Assembly Session to agree on a resolution with the conclusion of a treaty totally banning nuclear weapons as its sole objective, and immediately start negotiations. We further urge you to make every effort to that end. We welcome all initiatives leading to the elimination of nuclear weapons, including the convening of the 4th U.N. Special Session on Disarmament.

Together with the Hibakusha, the A-bomb victims, we urge you to take a bold step forward to achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons. If the movements of citizens, local municipalities and national governments work together, the prospect for a peaceful and just world order envisaged by the U.N. Charter will surely be made reality. We sincerely hope that the United Nations and all member states will take courageous actions.