For a dream without substance

Nobel Peace Prize 2024 goes to the anti-nuclear weapons organisation Nihon Hidankyo

'Nihon Hidankyo is the only national organization of A-bomb survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Hibakusha) in Japan. It is formed with Hibakusha organizations in all 47 prefectures. It was founded on August 10, 1956, during the 2nd World Conference against A and H Bombs.' This is what it says on the organisation's website.

Nihon Hidankyo is fully deserving of the prize and the prize money of just over USD 1 million is very much appreciated. Since the 1950s, the organisation has been fighting for recognition and compensation for the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as for the Pacific islanders affected by atomic bomb tests. Through education and personal testimony, the ambassadors of Nihon Hidankyo have raised international awareness of the horrific impact of nuclear weapons. This has certainly contributed to the fact that no nuclear bombs have been used militarily since 1945 and can of course also be seen as part of deterrence.

Toshiyuki Mimaki, Chairman of Nihon Hidankyo, said after the award ceremony was announced at Hiroshima City Hall: ‘It really does feel like a dream. I would like to continue to appeal to the people of the world to abolish nuclear weapons and achieve lasting peace.’ (Source SPIEGEL)

As with most other movements for disarmament and peace, this positive dream lacks a realistic vision. I have described in my article ‘World without nuclear weapons’ why this is not so easily possible. In today's world disorder, no nation with nuclear weapons will give up its sovereign self-protection. In fact, more countries will seek nuclear armament. Some of them with aggressive intent, as Russia and North Korea are already demonstrating with their threats.

The global abolition of nuclear armament is currently an illusion. To make nuclear disarmament possible, humanity must unite in a federal world union. This is the indispensable prerequisite for lasting world peace. There is no other way. All organisations working for disarmament and peace should finally understand this and become active accordingly. Otherwise they will all remain just dreams without substance.

World without nuclear weapons - by Richard Maxheim (substack.com)

Coalition for a Global Citizens' Assembly founded

In its latest newsletter, the Iswe Foudation announces that the

"Coalition for a Global Citizens’ Assembly is now officially launched (along with a revamped website)! Thank you for joining or supporting us over the past 6 months. We look forward to working with all of you and many more towards a permanent Global Citizens’ Assembly. ..... Backed by the Governments of Brazil, Vanuatu and Ireland, Iswe Foundation and partners launched the Global Citizens’ Assembly for People and Planet alongside the Coalition for a Global Citizens’ Assembly."

I responded to the newsletter with a short email:

Dear colleagues and friends,
In your initiative for a permanent Global Citizens' Assembly, I recognise the embryo of the future 'United Mankind Organisation'. Please read my article
Three pillars for the World Union - by Richard Maxheim (substack.com)
With best regards and best wishes

World Parliament not now

But a permanent ‘Global Citizens’ Assembly for People and Planet’ is to come

World Parliament not now - by Richard Maxheim (substack.com)

From the UN Future Summit to a world free of nuclear weapons?

What I expected from the outset is slowly starting to emerge in the announcements from civil society: The disappointment is there. Some are still trying to disguise it in a positive light. It sounds like ‘it didn't help, but it was nice that we were there’. All of this painted with colourful photos on social networks. The networkers of ‘Abolition 2000’ were able to gain something from the agreed Future Pact after all and want to continue working with it.

At the Summit of the Future, world leaders agreed that “A nuclear war would visit devastation upon all humankind and we must make every effort to avert the danger of such a war… a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought”. They decided to “Recommit to the goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons” and to “strengthening the disarmament and non-proliferation architecture and work to prevent any erosion of existing international norms and take all possible steps to prevent nuclear war."

'Abilition 2000' had invited people to a webinar on 1 October. The statements made there did not sound particularly optimistic. These were all arguments that have been known for a long time. The fact that leading politicians from many nations are committed to nuclear disarmament is nothing new. Since 2017, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted a binding Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons under international law. The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which was involved in the treaty, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in the same year. However, neither the disarmament advocates nor the Nobel Prize Committee are decisive here, but the leading politicians of the nations that possess nuclear weapons. And the prohibition of nuclear weapons does not apply to them because they have not agreed to it. So the criminal cannot be held responsible because he rejects the law. This is how international law works.

Is a world without nuclear weapons even possible?
A world free of nuclear weapons - and then what?
The unification of mankind is a prerequisite!

World without nuclear weapons - by Richard Maxheim (substack.com)