Hi Friend --

“When the looming nuclear threat is discussed, Italy must take a clear position in favour of disarmament and the prohibition of nuclear weapons.” Italian Parliamentarian Laura Boldrini was inspired by our Parliamentarian Forum on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons to include this in an open letter to her head of state Ms Giorgia Meloni in advance of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.

Parliamentarians from G7 countries came to Tokyo and Hiroshima to demand action from their governments in advance of the G7 leaders meeting. When the summit takes place in Hiroshima in 2 weeks, the parliamentarians expect that their countries:

• take a clear position in favour of disarmament and the prohibition of nuclear weapons;

• announce their intention to observe the second meeting of states parties to the TPNW, and;

• meet Hibakusha and listen to their stories and demand for peace.

The participating parliamentarians elaborated their requests in a statement issued at the conclusion of the Forum.

The powerful visit to Hiroshima included a guided tour of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and an opportunity to listen to the testimony of Ms Toshiko Tanaka, who survived the atomic bombing at only 6 years old. Parliamentarians also engaged with youth from their own countries who had attended the G7 Youth Summit. As citizens from the G7 countries, they reminded their governments of their demands for more than words, for action for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

As Canadian MP Heather McPherson stated: “The upcoming G7 summit in Hiroshima is the perfect opportunity for Canada to join the growing international consensus and announce a delegation to observe the next meeting of states parties to the TPNW. We have heard a lot of empty rhetoric by Prime Minister Trudeau, now is the time for action. ”

In Hiroshima, the youth and the parliamentarians set high expectations for what the leaders need to deliver when they arrive in 10 days in Hiroshima. The heads of the G7 cannot squander this opportunity through yet another round of empty rhetoric.

To keep up the pressure on the G7 leaders, we are counting on your support and will send more information about what you can do in the next few days.

Sincerely,

Florian Eblenkamp
Advocacy Coordinator
ICAN

It’s time to end nuclear weapons.

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