For the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons
HOME >> For the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons >> Statements >> Statement: Denounce the 9.11 terrorist attack, Oppose retaliation by the military force
Statement: Denounce the 9.11 terrorist attack, Oppose retaliation by the military force
Statement: We Denounce the Simultaneous Terrorist Attacks on the USA, Oppose Retaliation by Military Force, and Call for Resolution by Peaceful Means
September 28, 2001
Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations
We, the A-bomb sufferers, denounce with indignation the terrorist attacks that took place recently. The attacks targeted many innocent citizens and claimed thousands of lives.
We express our deep sympathy for the people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks, and hope for the earliest recovery of the injured, the bereaved families and the friends of victims from their physical and mental damages.
The terrorist acts cannot be condoned for any reason whatsoever. Committing violence against civilians, including indiscriminate mass murder and injury, constitutes the most heinous crime against humanity. Peaceful coexistence is an inviolable principle for humankind. If this principle is undermined, the basis for the very existence of the humankind will be damaged. Therefore we oppose war and reject all kinds of terrorism.
In the meantime, calls for retaliation are being heard within and around the US Administration, and readiness for military attack on the so-called “strongholds of terrorism” is being consolidated. The Japanese Government, already at the earliest stage, expressed its full support for this plan, and sent warships to join it at the excuse of providing “rear support”.
As survivors of the first nuclear attack in history, which was no less an antihuman and atrocious act, we oppose the concept of “retaliation” in itself. We cannot by any means accept cooperation of the Government of Japan, the only A-bombed country, with the retaliation by the US Administration. If an act of retaliation is allowed in response to any unjustifiable action, it will generate a vicious cycle that continues endlessly, embracing a danger of throwing the human race and the earth into the hopeless abyss of catastrophe.
We urge both the US Administration and the Japanese Government to refrain from taking any hasty action and consider the following:
1. Renunciation of the concept of “retaliation” and plans for a military attack or threat of attack on the so-called strongholds of terrorism;
2. No use or threat of use of nuclear weapons;
3. Pursuing the road to try the terrorists for their crime under international law and by peaceful means, relying on a worldwide consensus that condemns the terrorism;
4. For the Japanese Government to observe the Japanese Constitution and make every effort to turn world opinion in favor of a peaceful solution to the problem; the Japanese Government must not cooperate with any US military action and stop planning to enforce the “contingency law” or make an extended interpretation or revision of it, or legislate a “new law” on this matter.
