Nobel Peace Prize 2024 Awarded to Anti-Nuclear Group Nihon Hidankyo

Vatican, October 12, 2024: The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization of atomic bomb survivors, on October 11 in Oslo for its efforts to eradicate nuclear weapons globally. The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized the grassroots organization, composed of survivors from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings for its dedicated activism aimed at creating a world free of nuclear weapons.

Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, highlighted the growing pressure on the international taboo against the use of nuclear weapons, noting that Nihon Hidankyo’s advocacy is crucial as global tensions rise. “The Committee wishes to honour all survivors who, despite physical suffering and painful memories, have chosen to use their costly experience to cultivate hope and engagement for peace,” Frydnes said during the announcement.

This year’s award comes amid heightened global conflicts, including in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan, where the threat of nuclear escalation looms large. Nihon Hidankyo's recognition serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring global challenge to eliminate nuclear arms and uphold the fragile peace that their absence ensures.

Courtesy: Vatican News