Pacific Islands Forum calls for action to address effects of U.S. Nuclear Testing Programme in the Marshall Islands

 

FORTY-FOURTH PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM

MAJURO, REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

3 – 5 SEPTEMBER 2013

Final Communique

(excerpt)

RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

49. Leaders recalled that the Republic of the Marshall Islands was placed by the international community under the trusteeship of the United Nations administered by the United States of America, both of which therefore have ongoing obligations to encourage a final and just resolution for the Marshallese people. They welcomed the recommendations in the Special Rapporteur’s report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2012 following the Special Rapporteur’s missions to the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the United States of America in March and April 2012.

50. Leaders supported bilateral and multilateral action to assist the Republic of the Marshall Islands in its efforts to engage the United States towards a justified resolution to the U.S. Nuclear Testing Programme and considered submitting letters to the U.S. Government urging the United States to take action to meaningfully address the ongoing impacts resulting from the U.S. Nuclear Testing Programme, and to the United Nations Secretary-General to address the ongoing impacts of nuclear testing in the Pacific.

51. Leaders also agreed to stand in solidarity with the peoples of the Republic of the Marshall Islands as they face the challenges of overcoming the nuclear legacy.

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Also see:  Urgent Action Fund report on U.N. Human Rights Council debate.

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“...the long history of nuclear weapons testing on the Marshall Islands has produced a significant amount of nuclear radioactive waste which is indubitably toxic in nature and less health and continue to have several impacts to the ability of the Marshallese people to enjoy the full scope of their human rights.”  -  Special Rapporteur Calin Georgescu


Also read: "Where to now for nuclear test victims?" in
August 2013 edition of Islands Business

and

Nuclear tests survivors plead with Forum Leaders meeting to raise their concerns with the U.S.