Global Indigenous conference calls for an end to nuclear industry

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http://www.nuclear-risks.org/en/news/artikel/b3c62b44ce/global-indigenous-conference-calls.html

press release 29.8.2010
Global Indigenous conference calls for an end to nuclear industry

Delegates to the inaugural 'Sacred Lands, Poisoned Peoples' conference have today released a joint statement calling for an end to all uranium mining and processing, irresponsible radioactive waste management, nuclear power and nuclear weapons.

“Uranium mining leaves a toxic legacy long after the miners have packed up and gone. The poison from radioactivity is in our land and water, it damages our health and harms Mother Earth. We stand with all others facing this dangerous industry and we say stop: leave uranium in the ground”
said Charmaine White Face, Tetuwan (Lakota) Nation, USA.

“There are two mines on our land and 130 granted permits for exploration. What will be our future? We have been expelled from our country without any compensation. We don't want the mining companies coming here poisoning our land and destroying our way of life”
said Azara Jalawi, vice-president of the coordination of civil society of Arlit.

“My people have lived with uranium mining and weapons testing on our country. We live with the destructive health impacts, we see the damage to our land. Together with our friends from across the world, we say no to uranium and radioactivity. Leave it in the ground.”
said Rebecca Bear-Wingfield, co-chair Australian Nuclear Free Alliance (ANFA), senior cultural woman Arabunna and Kokatha and Kupa Pita Kungka Tjuta, Australia.

The Indigenous delegates travelled to the conference to share their knowledge with the participants of the Nobel Prize winning organization IPPNW so they will learn what happens around the world to Indigenous nations affected by uranium mining.

For photo opportunities and comment contact:
Angelika Wilmen, IPPNW Germany, [e-mail],
cell phone [phone]

« back» Statement (english)» Statement (german)

From the pdf of the statement:

Statement of the Pre-Congress Sacred Land, Poisoned Peoples to the 19th IPPNW World Congress

Indigenous Peoples and their representatives attending the Pre-Congress “Sacred Lands, Poisoned People” at this critical time of intensifying destruction to Mother Earth and human health by nuclear resource development have gathered and shared stories of resistance to uranium mining across the globe. From Canada and USA to Niger, Mali, Namibia, Tanzania and Malawi, from Russia, Germany, Australia, Brazil and India, communities facing dramatic impacts from this toxic industry have come together in unity.

Past, present and future generations of Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately impacted by uranium mining, nuclear weapons and the nuclear power industry. The nuclear fuel chain radioactively contaminates our people’s health, land, air, and waters and threatens our very existence and our future generations. Uranium mining, nuclear energy development and international agreements that foster the nuclear fuel chain violate our basic human rights and fundamental natural laws of Mother Earth, endangering our survival and spiritual wellbeing.

The dangerous health impacts of radioactive exposure begin with uranium mining. We reaffirm the Declaration of the World Uranium Hearing in Salzburg, Austria in 1992 that uranium and its radioactive decay products must remain in the ground. We stand in solidarity with those working for an end to uranium mining and processing, irresponsible radioactive waste management, nuclear power and nuclear weapons.

We dedicate ourselves to a nuclear free future for all peoples.