NOTICE
July 03, 2023
It is unacceptable for the international community to silently endure Japan's plan to dump nuclear contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean. It is at this point in time that Japan is in the final phase of preparations to dump wastewater containing radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea.
It was on July 22, 2022 that Japan's authorities authorized "the plan to release water from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant into the ocean."[1] (Reuters, 2022)
However, the International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA), will present its report "with the assessment of the plan"[2] (INFOBAE, 2023), during the next few days in July, which may vary from July 4 to 7.
We urge the International Atomic Energy Agency to present a fair and professional report, adhering to the international legal framework on the matter, specifically, to the London Convention of 1972 or "Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972"[3] (IMO, 2023), as established in its Article 1, which states that States Parties must establish "all possible measures to prevent pollution of the sea by dumping of wastes (...) which may create risks to the environment and to the environment. ...) that may create hazards to human health, harm living resources and marine life (...)"[4] (IMO, 2023).
In addition to the above, the "Convention on Nuclear Safety"[5] (IAEA, 2023) must be respected and the international commitment to care for the environment must be respected.
In this regard, one of the main objectives of the Convention is to protect "people, society and the environment"[6] (IAEA, 2023).
In addition, we urge the IAEA not to endorse Japan's plan to dump nuclear waste water into the Pacific Ocean. One of the negative consequences of discharging this water into the sea would be that the radioactive material would be spread throughout the Pacific Ocean "within 57 days after the date of discharge"[7] (Equal Ocean, 2021).
It should be noted that on July 26, 2022, by resolution "A/RES/76/300"[8] (UN Digital Library) of the United Nations Organization, the right to "a clean, healthy and sustainable environment was elevated to a human right."[9] (UN Digital Library)
In addition to the above, at the international level, damage to the environment is mentioned once in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, in Article 8, entitled "war crimes"[10] (ICC, 2023), paragraph 2, subparagraph b), section IV, with the following wording: "Intentionally launching an attack that will cause widespread, lasting and severe damage to the natural environment"[11] (ICC, 2023).
Thus, it is required to broaden the spectrum of environmental justice and environmental protection because, currently, it is only mentioned as part of war crimes, when in fact, damage to the environment could be equated to a crime against humanity, because the Pacific Ocean belongs to all humanity.
The Pacific Ocean, in addition to having a very extensive biodiversity, provides sustenance for an important part of the world's population, through the fishing industry, the cultivation of aquatic species of both plant and animal origin, among other reasons, such as food and water security in the region.
Pacific Island countries have spoken out against Japan's plan to dump these polluted waters into the Pacific Ocean because "it endangers Pacific resources and people's lives"[12] (Asianews, 2023).
Let's help protect and care for the Pacific Ocean, and its sustainability for present and future generations. Join us in our petition.
Global Diplomacy Leadership Actions for Empowerment Change, A.C.
[1] (Reuters, 2022) Japan regulators approve release of Fukushima water into the sea. Rescued on July 03, 2023 from the website: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/japan-regulators-approve-release-fukushima-water-into-sea-2022-07-22/ [2] (INFOBAE, 2023) IAEA to present its report on Fukushima release next week in Japan Rescued 03 July 2023 from webpage: https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2023/06/30/el-oiea-presentara-la-proxima-semana-en-japon-su-informe-sobre-el-vertido-de-fukushima/ [3] (IMO, 2023) Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter. Rescatado el 03 de julio de 2023 https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/London-Convention-Protocol.aspx [4] Ibidem [5] (IAEA, 2023) Review Meeting of Convention on Nuclear Safety Identifies Shared Priorities for Future Action. Retrieved July 03, 2023 from the web page: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/review-meeting-of-convention-on-nuclear-safety-identifies-shared-priorities-for-future-action [6] (IAEA, 2023) Convention on Nuclear Safety. Article 1. Retrieved July 03, 2023 from the web page: https://www.iaea.org/es/temas/convenciones-sobre-seguridad-nuclear [7] (Equal Ocean, 2021) Research shows that: 57 days from the date of discharge, Japan's nuclear sewage will pollute half of the Pacific Ocean. Retrieved July 03, 2023 from the website: https://equalocean.com/briefing/20210411230038969 [8] (UN Digital Library, 2022) El derecho humano a un medio ambiente limpio, saludable y sostenible. A/RES/76/300. Retrieved July 03, 2023 from the webpage: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3983329?ln=en [9] Ibidem [10] (ICC, 2023) Core Legal Texts. Retrieved July 03, 2023 from the webpage: https://www.icc-cpi.int/resource-library/core-legal-texts [11] Ibidem [12] (Asianews, 2023) Las islas del Pacífico contra la descarga de aguas de Fukushima en el mar. Rescued on July 03, 2023 from the website:https://www.asianews.it/noticias-es/Las-islas-del-Pac%C3%ADfico-contra-la-descarga-de-aguas-de-Fukushima-en-el-mar-57976.html
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