The National Nuclear Commission (NNC) of the Marshall Islands has developed a strategy for obtaining nuclear justice. The strategy is defined by five pillars that include compensation for losses, quality health care, a toxic free environment, empowerment to develop a national capacity independent of the United States and education and awareness regarding the nuclear legacy. The strategy is specific and contains goals, objectives and actions. In summary, the strategy proclaims:
“We know we will obtain nuclear justice when the health of the Marshallese people and our islands is restored, when displaced communities are returned to or compensated for their homelands, when the full range of damages and injuries stemming from the program is acknowledged and compensated by the U.S. Government, when the record of adverse impacts from nuclear weapons testing is preserved for the benefit of humankind, and when every Marshallese citizen understands the activities that took place in our islands and their aftermath and feels empowered to use their voice to advocate for the needs of their communities.” (NNC: FY2020-2023 p.4)
The Bikini Project Can Help
With regards to the five pillars of nuclear justice identified as goals in the Strategy for Nuclear Justice and mentioned above, I believe the Bikini Project makes a contribution to “education and awareness” by drawing attention to the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons.
The Bikini Project was awarded the 2021 Project Launch Grant by CENTER in Santa Fe, New Mexico. CENTER, a not-for-profit organization, supports lens-based projects that pursue social and environmental goals. As a recipient of the grant, I have had many opportunities to share my work and to bring awareness to the nuclear history of Bikini and the Marshall Islands. Although the nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands began 75 years ago during Operation Crossroads, I strive to draw attention to the relevancy of the Bikini and Marshallese story for the global community today.
I believe we must learn from the past, and with history as a guide, make better-informed decisions about how we live as individuals and nations. The nuclear legacy of the Bikini and Marshallese people serves as a case study in the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons for humanity. The legacy also illustrates the dire consequences of betrayal and the violation of human rights. The Bikini Project is poised to recognize and take advantage of any opportunity to increase awareness and education regarding these issues.
The Catastrophic Consequences of Nuclear Weapons
On January 22, 2021, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons entered into force without the signatures of the United States, Russia or the seven other nations possessing nuclear weapons. Despite the lack of support of these nine nations, there are 86 signatories and 59 state parties to the treaty. A sense of urgency regarding nuclear disarmament is evident suggesting the avoidance of nuclear war by accident or intent is of prime importance in the world today.
The Betrayal and Disregard for Human Rights
In March 1946, United States Commodore, Ben Wyatt requested that the Bikini people make the ultimate sacrifice of their sacred homeland “for the good of humanity and to prevent all future wars.” He promised them they would be able to return to their homes after the tests were completed. Trusting “all was in the hands of god”, and trusting in the United States, 167 Bikini Islanders agreed to be displaced so that nuclear testing could proceed on their island. To this date, the Island of Bikini is uninhabitable, and the Bikini people remain nuclear nomads, still searching for a home.
The United States’s nuclear testing left thousands of Marshallese people in harms way and, for decades, sickened on islands contaminated with radiation.This betrayal, however, is just one example of the United States’s failure to honor its promises and to accept responsibility for the human rights of others.
On July 8, 2021, President Biden stated, referring to the Afghans, “Our message to those men and women is clear. There is a home for you in the United States if you so choose, and we will stand with you as you stood with us.” The United States abandoned tens of thousands of Afghans who risked their lives to help the United States during the 20 year war in Afghanistan.
From a strategic point of view, betrayal and human rights violations have not worked well as the United States’s standing and credibility in the world becomes increasingly tarnished. More importantly, however, from a moral perspective, the violation of human rights is universally unacceptable.
You Can Help
The nuclear legacy of the Bikini and Marshallese people is a story of devastation, struggle and loss. It is also a story of strength and resilience marked by the efforts of these people to preserve their culture and to make new lives for themselves in the Marshall Islands and in the United States. Their path has been fraught, and although they have been strong and resilient despite trauma, the Marshallese and Bikini people can benefit from our aid.
If you would like to offer your assistance, please consider these suggestions: Donate to grassroots organizations that provide services to the Marshallese people; petition your congressional representatives on behalf of nuclear justice for the Marshall Islands; advocate for nuclear disarmament and peace by joining an advocacy organization; expand the social studies curriculum of your local schools to educate students about the history of United States nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands.
Donate
1. The Marshallese Educational Initiative, mei.ngo Springdale, Arkansas. a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) charitable organization.Through educational programming, MEI promotes cultural, intellectual and historical awareness of the Marshallese people and facilitates intercultural dialogue to foster positive social change. You may donate to the general fund or specify a specific project. Throughout Covid 19, MEI has made donations of food, supplies, educational resources and paid utility bills for Marshallese people in Springdale, Arkansas.
2. Marshall Islands Council of Non-Governmental Organizations, MICNGO.com Majuro, Marshall Islands. MICNGOs is an umbrella organization that represents existing and emerging community-based non-governmental organizations in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It facilitates cooperation among not-for-profit NGOs and acts as a liaison between the NGO community and government. The organization serves as a source of information regarding NGOs in the Marshall Islands.
3. REACH-MI: REACH-MI.org (Radiation Exposure Awareness Crusaders for Humanity). Located in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, this organization falls under the umbrella of MICNGOs.The National Nuclear Commission works closely with the organization whose mission is “centered around nuclear justice.” REACH-MI has been identified by the NNC as an organization of importance in the implementation of its action plan.
Petition
In 1986 The Nuclear Claims Tribunal was created to adjudicate Marshallese claims for compensation due to environmental damage to their homeland and the impact to their health caused by United States nuclear testing.
Although awards for these damages were issued, United States funding to fulfill the awards was depleted in 2009 leaving $23 million in personal injury and $22.2 billion in property damage awards unpaid and many claims unprocessed.
In addition, new information about the extent of the damages has become available. In 2000, the Republic of the Marshall Islands filed a Change of Circumstances Petition with the United States Congress. The petition has never been acknowledged. Between 2007 and 2018, US Senate bills dealing with compensation for environmental damage and the right to quality health care were introduced (S 1756, S 2941, S 342, S 2182). The bills either died at the end of the Congressional year or no action was taken.
You can help the Marshallese people obtain payment for the awards issued by the Nuclear Claims Tribunal by contacting your Congressional representatives. Request that your representatives investigate, introduce or reintroduce a bill for full payment of the Tribunal awards described above.
If you are unfamiliar with the protocol for petitioning your congressional representatives, you can learn more about the steps for effective advocacy by clicking here: https://blumenauer.house.gov and selecting services and effective advocacy.
Please familiarize yourself with the issues by reading National Nuclear Commission: Nuclear Justice for the Marshall Islands a Strategy for Coordinated Action, FY 2020 to FY 2023.
Advocate
Numerous organizations advocate for nuclear disarmament and world peace. Please see below a partial list of these organizations. You can consider becoming a member or search for others that best represent your beliefs and concerns.
Alliance for Nuclear Accountability: ananuclear.org
Beyond Nuclear International: beyondnuclear.org
Coalition of Nuclear Justice: nuclearjusticecoalition.org
(A Marshallese Organization)
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War: IPPNW.org
1985 Nobel Peace Prize
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation: wagingpeace.org
Peace Action: peaceaction.org
Physicians For Social Responsibility: psr.org
Educate
Request that your local public school district include the nuclear legacy of the Marshall Islands in its social studies curriculum. The Smithsonian Institution Learning Lab has created an educational module for teachers that can be incorporated into an existing curriculum.“The Bikini Atoll and Operation Crossroads: Unveiling Stories” is based on the images of Life Magazine photographer, Carl Mydans. The module utilizes standardized teaching methods based on Project Zero Global Thinking Routines developed by the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Please click here to review the educational module: smithsonianlearninglab.edu The Bikini Atoll Unveiling Stories