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, wilmen@ippnw.de,
cell phone 0049 (0)162 2057943
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