Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty [Interview with Setsuko Thurlow] Almost full text October 25, 14:31
Setsuko Thurlow (88), who lives in Canada, was exposed at the age of 13 at a distance of 1.8 km from the hypocenter in Hiroshima.
He has spoken around the world about his experience of losing eight relatives and 351 alumni under the building, and has been appealing for the abolition of nuclear weapons for many years.
Following the decision to enter into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, we will post almost the full text of the interview on the morning of the 25th of Japan time.
Prayer went through
First of all, I thought "finally".
I received a message from a member of ICAN shortly before that the effect was decided, and cheered.
When I think of the nightmare I experienced in Hiroshima, I thought that prayer was finally completed after 75 years.
My body is still trembling.
The joy, the incredibility, everything has come true.
I can't put it into words, but I'm overwhelmed by the fact that nuclear weapons will become illegal and illegal in the next 90 days.
I think it will take a little more time to cool my head and find out that this is true, but I feel the joy that cannot be expressed in words anyway.
Many people have worked together around the world for the movement to eliminate nuclear weapons.
It's great to be able to celebrate with our comrades from all over the world.
Report to those who died in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima
When I was informed, I first thought of many of Hiroshima's loved ones, those who lost their lives, and those who are always alive with me.
"I've finally reached this point," he reported to those people.
Whenever I have such an emotional experience, I first report with joy and respect to those who have had an abominable experience together in Hiroshima and those who have lost their lives.
I did that when the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was adopted, and when I received the news that the treaty was decided to come into effect, I was full of such thoughts.
And then, I'm full of gratitude to all the colleagues I worked with all over the world for their hard work.
As long as there is a life
However, at the same time as joy, we also realize that the first step of our work will begin with the beginning of the next chapter and the next chapter.
I think the future struggle to eliminate nuclear weapons will be difficult and time-consuming.
I think we must move forward with mental strength, physical strength, and conviction.
At this point, 50 countries have ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and 90 days later, this will become official international law.
With that as a force, we must continue our movement.
I think it will take some time, but now we have the soil to move in the right direction.
Our next goal is to completely eliminate nuclear weapons, the day when it will be possible.
That is a dream.
When our dreams are completely fulfilled, the total abolition and abolition of nuclear weapons is complete, and at that time, I don't think we are in the world.
When I think about it, I feel a little lonely, but I think that my comrades will continue to exercise from all over the world.
After that, what we can do not only to eliminate nuclear weapons, but also to bring peace to this world, is the next step.
First of all, I would like to take valuable steps toward the abolition of nuclear weapons.
As long as I live, as long as I have a life, I plan to work toward it.
Message to Japan
I would like to inform the people who are working hard together in Japan and the citizens of Japan of this good news as soon as possible.
I think it's really hard, but I hope the Japanese government can seriously and honestly tackle the issue of nuclear abolition, discuss and talk, and one day the Japanese government will change its attitude and ratify it. Let's move forward with 50 countries.
Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Japan are the only countries in which we have experienced the damage of nuclear weapons.
Really listen to what we are saying.
I would like to ask the Japanese government for it.
As a human, think of this weapon of mass destruction.
What does nuclear weapons mean to each and every human being, rather than the alliance of nuclear-weapon states?
Please take it seriously once again that it was Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Hundreds of thousands of people died, were killed, were slaughtered.
It is not only us A-bomb survivors, but also the responsibility of the Government of Japan to send such a message to the world so that it will resonate with everyone.
I want you to be aware of that.
I'm sorry, even my voice trembled.
That's the feeling.
Please understand the Japanese people, the Japanese government, and our feelings.
Make the soil move forward together.
Don't turn away, don't turn your back.
Let's talk eye-to-eye together and move forward.
Please.
Rethink Japan's responsibility, the world, its responsibility to humanity, and its morality.
Nothing is more precious than human life.
That's what I learned from my experience in Hiroshima.