TWO survivors of the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima will visit the Faslane peace camp on Thursday during a tour of Scotland.
Reiko Yamada and Midori Yamada are spending two days in Scotland as part of the 'Hibakusha' (literally 'those affected by the explosion') tour.
The tour is timed to co-incide with the start this week of UN negotiations on a global nuclear ban treaty, which are being boycotted by the UK.
Born in Hiroshima in 1934, Reiko Yamada was 10 when the US bomb devastated her city.
Midori Yamada was born four years after the detonation and shares the fear among second–generation survivors of ongoing genetic damage from the radiation.
Scottish CND's Chair Arthur West said: “We are honoured to welcome Reiko and Midori to Scotland.
"Over the years we have tended to forget how utterly horrific nuclear weapons are and we are sure their visit will help us all to re-connect with that sober reality.
"But this is also a time of great hope as the UN ban negotiations begin – the biggest breakthrough for disarmament in decades, though it is a huge concern that the Scottish rejection of nuclear weapons will not be formally represented in New York.”
The two women will observe the Faslane and Coulport bases on Thursday and will visit the Faslane peace camp at 3pm.
The nuclear ban treaty talks began on Monday and will see Scotland represented by a number of participants from civil society, including SNP MSP Bill Kidd on behalf of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament.
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