The UK High Court ruling in favour of nuclear veterans (see earlier story) has rekindled debate about recognition and compensation for the survivors of nuclear testing around the world.
Court victory another step in nuclear veterans' lengthy compensation battle
Over 20,000 British, Fijian, New Zealand and Australian military personnel witnessed Britain's nuclear testing program in Australia and the Pacific between 1952 and 1958.
MAPW's National Newsletter for Autumn 2009 features Tilman Ruff's visit to the particularly unsafe uranium mine at Jadugoda in India; the Gaza conflict and concerns on use of phosphorus, and new and dangerous weapons.
French nuclear veterans have strongly criticised a proposed new law covering compensation for survivors of French nuclear testing in Algeria and French Polynesia. The law would cover former nuclear workers and military personnel whose health was affected by French nuclear tests - but survivors say few people would be eligible.
French nuclear veterans have strongly criticised a proposed law covering compensation for survivors of French nuclear testing in Algeria and French Polynesia. The law would cover former nuclear workers and military personnel whose health was affected by French nuclear tests. But the victims' supporters argue that almost none would be eligible for compensation.
In this report, MAPW President Dr Sue Wareham, argues that nuclear weapons represent mankind’s ultimate confrontation with the natural environment that sustains us. Areas covered include nuclear accidents, nuclear waste and the effects of nuclear tests. Prepared for the Biosensitive Futures website of the Nature and Society Forum, November 2008.
"Elevated chromosome translocation frequencies in New Zealand nuclear test veterans", by Associate Professor Al Rowland and other Massey University researchers, is a significant study documenting health effects for NZ sailors who witnessed Britain's Grapple nuclear tests at Christmas Island in the 1950s.
The 2000 MAPW National Conference address by Laurie Brereton, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Federal Member for Kingsford-Smith, Australian Labor Party, New South Wales. This paper reflects the then policy of the Federal ALP on issues of nuclear disarmament.
Vice President, and Co-Coordinator of MAPW in New South Wales
Contact:
nsw [at] mapw [dot] org [dot] au or via MAPW Executive Officer: (03) 9023 1958 or 0431 475 465
Professional Qualifications:
MB BS; MD; MA
Current field of medicine:
Psychiatry, including in remote Indigenous communities in Central Australia
Special areas of interest:
The connection between human rights and health; conflict resolution in Australia and our region.
Background:
Long term member of MAPW. Interested in facilitating the ongoing relationship with orther peace organisations such as WILPFi and CPACSi at Sydney University. Speaks Italian and French.
tilman [dot] a [dot] ruff [at] mapw [dot] org [dot] au or via MAPW Executive Officer: (03) 9023 1958 or 0431 475 465
Professional Qualifications:
MB, BS (Hons); FRACP
Current field of medicine:
Tilman Ruff is an infectious diseases and public health physician; Associate Professor in the Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne; medical advisor for the International Department of Australian Red Cross; and technical advisor on immunisation in Pacific island countries for UNICEFi and AusAID;
Special areas of interest:
Nuclear weapons, biological weapons, nuclear power and the links between civil and military nuclear industries. Iraq.
Background:
Associate Professor Tilman Ruff is the immediate past president of the Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia); member of the Board of Directors of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNWi, Nobel Peace prize 1985); Australian Management Committee Chair, and IPPNWi Working Group Chair, for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. He is one of two invited NGOi Advisers to the Co-Chairs of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament.
