The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization representing survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee made the announcement on Friday morning.
The committee praised Nihon Hidankyo “for their efforts towards a world free of nuclear weapons and for bearing witness to the message that nuclear weapons must never be used again.”
According to the Nobel Committee, the organization’s awareness campaigns and personal testimonies have contributed significantly to global opposition to the use of nuclear weapons. The committee noted that, for almost 80 years, no atomic bombs have been used in armed conflict, a “hopeful reality” they attributed in part to the efforts of Nihon Hidankyo and other advocates.
However, the committee warned, “It is alarming that the taboo against using nuclear weapons is under threat today.” They highlighted that nuclear powers are modernizing their arsenals while other countries are seeking to acquire such weapons, with a real risk of nuclear bomb use in current conflicts.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee reminded the world that the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki immediately killed an estimated 120,000 people, with a similar number dying from injuries and radiation in the following years.
“Today’s nuclear weapons are far more destructive, capable of killing millions and causing catastrophic impacts on the climate. A nuclear war could wipe out civilization,” the committee cautioned.
