Bangladesh to go to the polls in February
In a televised address to the nation, Yunus said he would request the Election Commission to organise the election in February.
He spoke as the nation marked the first anniversary of the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina has been in exile since August 5 last year after fleeing the country amid a student-led mass uprising, which ended her 15-year rule.
Yunus had earlier said that the election would be held in April, but major political parties, mainly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, and its allies demanded that the election be held in February.
The Yunus-led administration has banned Hasina's Awami League party, and the Election Commission has cancelled its registration with it.
Earlier, Yunus marked the anniversary of last year's student-led uprising by saying its spirit would build the future of the South Asian nation's democracy.
The anniversary came amid growing frustration over the interim administration's failure to restore order and bring political bickering under control.
Bangladesh is at a crossroads, with bickering political parties struggling to find a way forward with inclusive politics.
Bangladesh's interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus says the country's parliamentary election will be held in February.
In a televised address to the nation, Yunus said he would request the Election Commission to organise the election in February.
He spoke as the nation marked the first anniversary of the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina has been in exile since August 5 last year after fleeing the country amid a student-led mass uprising, which ended her 15-year rule.
Yunus had earlier said that the election would be held in April, but major political parties, mainly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, and its allies demanded that the election be held in February.
The Yunus-led administration has banned Hasina's Awami League party, and the Election Commission has cancelled its registration with it.
Earlier, Yunus marked the anniversary of last year's student-led uprising by saying its spirit would build the future of the South Asian nation's democracy.
The anniversary came amid growing frustration over the interim administration's failure to restore order and bring political bickering under control.
Bangladesh is at a crossroads, with bickering political parties struggling to find a way forward with inclusive politics.
Bangladesh's interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus says the country's parliamentary election will be held in February.
In a televised address to the nation, Yunus said he would request the Election Commission to organise the election in February.
He spoke as the nation marked the first anniversary of the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina has been in exile since August 5 last year after fleeing the country amid a student-led mass uprising, which ended her 15-year rule.
Yunus had earlier said that the election would be held in April, but major political parties, mainly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, and its allies demanded that the election be held in February.
The Yunus-led administration has banned Hasina's Awami League party, and the Election Commission has cancelled its registration with it.
Earlier, Yunus marked the anniversary of last year's student-led uprising by saying its spirit would build the future of the South Asian nation's democracy.
The anniversary came amid growing frustration over the interim administration's failure to restore order and bring political bickering under control.
Bangladesh is at a crossroads, with bickering political parties struggling to find a way forward with inclusive politics.
Bangladesh's interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus says the country's parliamentary election will be held in February.
In a televised address to the nation, Yunus said he would request the Election Commission to organise the election in February.
He spoke as the nation marked the first anniversary of the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina has been in exile since August 5 last year after fleeing the country amid a student-led mass uprising, which ended her 15-year rule.
Yunus had earlier said that the election would be held in April, but major political parties, mainly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, and its allies demanded that the election be held in February.
The Yunus-led administration has banned Hasina's Awami League party, and the Election Commission has cancelled its registration with it.
Earlier, Yunus marked the anniversary of last year's student-led uprising by saying its spirit would build the future of the South Asian nation's democracy.
The anniversary came amid growing frustration over the interim administration's failure to restore order and bring political bickering under control.
Bangladesh is at a crossroads, with bickering political parties struggling to find a way forward with inclusive politics.
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9 News
an hour ago
- 9 News
NSW MP Gareth Ward's convictions aren't enough to expel him from parliament, lawyer argues
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Four sex offence convictions against a sitting MP aren't enough to expel him from parliament under "unworthy behaviour" provisions, his lawyer has argued. Gareth Ward, 44, remains the member for the NSW seat of Kiama, as he awaits sentencing for sexually assaulting an intoxicated political staffer after a midweek event in the state's parliament in 2015. The former families minister was also found to have sexually abused a drunken 18-year-old man at his South Coast home in 2013. Gareth Ward, 44, remains the member for the NSW seat of Kiama, as he awaits sentencing. (Dylan Coker) A Labor-led vote to expel Ward from parliament, slated for Wednesday, was delayed after the Supreme Court ordered a halt at the MP's request. His barrister told an urgent NSW Court of Appeal hearing today that a letter Ward received from the Labor government about the planned expulsion vote only referred to the convictions, and did not lay out a case for Ward's expulsion. The letter did not detail any "unworthy conduct" - the expulsion power Labor is relying on to turf Ward - Peter King told a panel of three judges. "Are you seriously submitting that the convictions of the counts ... are not conduct unworthy?" Chief Justice Andrew Bell asked. "The four counts are evidence of the fact of conviction but they're not evidence of the facts which underlie that conviction," King said. When the barrister tried again to make the same argument, Justice Jeremy Kirk chimed in. "There can't be any mystery about it, he was tried publicly on an indictment," the judge said. "He, of all people, must know what behaviour led to his conviction." Gareth Ward's lawyer argued four sex offence convictions against a sitting MP aren't enough to expel him from parliament. (AAP) Justice Kirk also questioned whether the court could do anything or interfere in the government's processes, as there had been no orders made to appeal. The most serious charge against Ward, who is in custody, carries a maximum 14-year jail term. King also argued that the move to expel Ward was punitive, denying the MP his chance to remain in parliament or go for re-election, if he successfully appealed the convictions. If Ward's appeal fails, he will be automatically expelled under a separate power. The move also denied Ward procedural fairness by denying him the chance to get up and oppose the motion in parliament, King said. "In short, he is to be expelled by a kangaroo court," he said. Four MPs have been expelled from NSW parliament, the last in 1969 under the "unworthy conduct" power. Any expulsion of Ward will trigger a by-election in the NSW south coast electorate he has held since 2011. Initially running under the Liberal banner, he secured a 2023 poll win as an independent, despite having been charged with sexual assault and suspended from parliament. NSW Premier Chris Minns said having an MP sitting in jail awaiting sentencing, while demanding to remain in parliament, was "an unconscionable situation". (Nine) A vote to expel him is almost certain to pass with support from leaders of Labor and the coalition. NSW Premier Chris Minns said having an MP sitting in jail awaiting sentencing, while demanding to remain in parliament, was "an unconscionable situation". Opposition Leader Mark Speakman repeated calls for Ward to resign after the legal action prevented a parliamentary vote to expel him. Academic Tonia Gray, who contested Kiama for the Greens at the 2023 state election, told AAP Ward should vacate the seat after being found guilty. The ongoing distraction of his refusal to resign has been a disservice to the community, she said. "It's clearly not about the people of Kiama - it's all about Gareth," Gray said. "Kiama deserves an opportunity to hold a by-election and elect a new member to the NSW parliament that can give their absolute attention to the critical work of representing our community." Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) . New South Wales national Australia courts crime Politics parliament Chris Minns CONTACT US
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
'One-trick pony' MP bucks off parliament censure motion
A high-profile politician known for his brash and outspoken antics has been branded a one-trick pony after fending off a Labor-led censure bid. The failed motion against Mark Latham came after the one-time prime ministerial hopeful used parliamentary privilege in the NSW upper house to reveal details about a police commissioner and an independent MP. He has been embroiled in several scandals, including taking photos of women MPs without their knowledge, for which he has already apologised. But an attempt to have Australia's oldest parliamentary chamber officially censure him has failed, after the coalition opposition, the Greens and minor party MPs voted to adjourn the motion until October. The powerful privileges committee is investigating several complaints about Mr Latham, with some reports due back in October. The NSW government's upper house leader described the 16-to-22 vote loss as disappointing. "Mark Latham is a serial offender," Penny Sharpe told reporters on Wednesday. "There's no one he won't go after (and) there's no one he won't double down on. "We should be a model workplace, not a degenerate workplace." She also noted he called her an "ignorant pig" and her colleagues "disgusting frauds" during the chamber debate on Tuesday. Premier Chris Minns said MPs needed to "draw a line in the sand" and criticised Mr Latham for his sustained personal attacks on his political foes under parliamentary privilege. "That's his modus operandi. He goes after anyone who holds him to account ... he's a one-trick pony," he said. Mr Latham also used Tuesday night's debate to level unsubstantiated sexual harassment allegations against the premier, who declined to respond. "I'm not going to detail them one by one as if to give it credence or importance or it has been backed with some shred of evidence or information," Mr Minns said. Labor's motion was first flagged in June after Mr Latham aired information that now-former NSW police commissioner Karen Webb purchased dozens of bottles of gin using taxpayer money to hand out as gifts, and discussed the medical records of independent MP Alex Greenwich. That followed a court ordering Mr Latham to pay $140,000 in damages to Mr Greenwich in September 2024 over a sexually explicit and homophobic social media post that resulted in a defamation case. He had been referred to the privileges committee for an investigation, with a report on matters involving Ms Webb and NSW Police due in October. Mr Latham defended bringing up information about Ms Webb, arguing the public had a right to know because of an "undeclared conflict of interest" and relationship to the gin distillery owners. But he also hinted, without evidence, that the Minns government had covered up a sexual assault that took place in the NSW Parliament. He called several ministers "cowards and curs and quislings". In July, Mr Latham denied sexual abuse allegations levelled against him by a former partner. The woman made a private application for an apprehended domestic violence order at a local court in Sydney. Mr Latham resigned from federal parliament in 2005 and was ejected from the Labor Party before being elected to the NSW upper house in 2019 as a One Nation member. He quit that party in 2023, becoming an independent, with his term expiring in 2031. A high-profile politician known for his brash and outspoken antics has been branded a one-trick pony after fending off a Labor-led censure bid. The failed motion against Mark Latham came after the one-time prime ministerial hopeful used parliamentary privilege in the NSW upper house to reveal details about a police commissioner and an independent MP. He has been embroiled in several scandals, including taking photos of women MPs without their knowledge, for which he has already apologised. But an attempt to have Australia's oldest parliamentary chamber officially censure him has failed, after the coalition opposition, the Greens and minor party MPs voted to adjourn the motion until October. The powerful privileges committee is investigating several complaints about Mr Latham, with some reports due back in October. The NSW government's upper house leader described the 16-to-22 vote loss as disappointing. "Mark Latham is a serial offender," Penny Sharpe told reporters on Wednesday. "There's no one he won't go after (and) there's no one he won't double down on. "We should be a model workplace, not a degenerate workplace." She also noted he called her an "ignorant pig" and her colleagues "disgusting frauds" during the chamber debate on Tuesday. Premier Chris Minns said MPs needed to "draw a line in the sand" and criticised Mr Latham for his sustained personal attacks on his political foes under parliamentary privilege. "That's his modus operandi. He goes after anyone who holds him to account ... he's a one-trick pony," he said. Mr Latham also used Tuesday night's debate to level unsubstantiated sexual harassment allegations against the premier, who declined to respond. "I'm not going to detail them one by one as if to give it credence or importance or it has been backed with some shred of evidence or information," Mr Minns said. Labor's motion was first flagged in June after Mr Latham aired information that now-former NSW police commissioner Karen Webb purchased dozens of bottles of gin using taxpayer money to hand out as gifts, and discussed the medical records of independent MP Alex Greenwich. That followed a court ordering Mr Latham to pay $140,000 in damages to Mr Greenwich in September 2024 over a sexually explicit and homophobic social media post that resulted in a defamation case. He had been referred to the privileges committee for an investigation, with a report on matters involving Ms Webb and NSW Police due in October. Mr Latham defended bringing up information about Ms Webb, arguing the public had a right to know because of an "undeclared conflict of interest" and relationship to the gin distillery owners. But he also hinted, without evidence, that the Minns government had covered up a sexual assault that took place in the NSW Parliament. He called several ministers "cowards and curs and quislings". In July, Mr Latham denied sexual abuse allegations levelled against him by a former partner. The woman made a private application for an apprehended domestic violence order at a local court in Sydney. Mr Latham resigned from federal parliament in 2005 and was ejected from the Labor Party before being elected to the NSW upper house in 2019 as a One Nation member. He quit that party in 2023, becoming an independent, with his term expiring in 2031. A high-profile politician known for his brash and outspoken antics has been branded a one-trick pony after fending off a Labor-led censure bid. The failed motion against Mark Latham came after the one-time prime ministerial hopeful used parliamentary privilege in the NSW upper house to reveal details about a police commissioner and an independent MP. He has been embroiled in several scandals, including taking photos of women MPs without their knowledge, for which he has already apologised. But an attempt to have Australia's oldest parliamentary chamber officially censure him has failed, after the coalition opposition, the Greens and minor party MPs voted to adjourn the motion until October. The powerful privileges committee is investigating several complaints about Mr Latham, with some reports due back in October. The NSW government's upper house leader described the 16-to-22 vote loss as disappointing. "Mark Latham is a serial offender," Penny Sharpe told reporters on Wednesday. "There's no one he won't go after (and) there's no one he won't double down on. "We should be a model workplace, not a degenerate workplace." She also noted he called her an "ignorant pig" and her colleagues "disgusting frauds" during the chamber debate on Tuesday. Premier Chris Minns said MPs needed to "draw a line in the sand" and criticised Mr Latham for his sustained personal attacks on his political foes under parliamentary privilege. "That's his modus operandi. He goes after anyone who holds him to account ... he's a one-trick pony," he said. Mr Latham also used Tuesday night's debate to level unsubstantiated sexual harassment allegations against the premier, who declined to respond. "I'm not going to detail them one by one as if to give it credence or importance or it has been backed with some shred of evidence or information," Mr Minns said. Labor's motion was first flagged in June after Mr Latham aired information that now-former NSW police commissioner Karen Webb purchased dozens of bottles of gin using taxpayer money to hand out as gifts, and discussed the medical records of independent MP Alex Greenwich. That followed a court ordering Mr Latham to pay $140,000 in damages to Mr Greenwich in September 2024 over a sexually explicit and homophobic social media post that resulted in a defamation case. He had been referred to the privileges committee for an investigation, with a report on matters involving Ms Webb and NSW Police due in October. Mr Latham defended bringing up information about Ms Webb, arguing the public had a right to know because of an "undeclared conflict of interest" and relationship to the gin distillery owners. But he also hinted, without evidence, that the Minns government had covered up a sexual assault that took place in the NSW Parliament. He called several ministers "cowards and curs and quislings". In July, Mr Latham denied sexual abuse allegations levelled against him by a former partner. The woman made a private application for an apprehended domestic violence order at a local court in Sydney. Mr Latham resigned from federal parliament in 2005 and was ejected from the Labor Party before being elected to the NSW upper house in 2019 as a One Nation member. He quit that party in 2023, becoming an independent, with his term expiring in 2031. A high-profile politician known for his brash and outspoken antics has been branded a one-trick pony after fending off a Labor-led censure bid. The failed motion against Mark Latham came after the one-time prime ministerial hopeful used parliamentary privilege in the NSW upper house to reveal details about a police commissioner and an independent MP. He has been embroiled in several scandals, including taking photos of women MPs without their knowledge, for which he has already apologised. But an attempt to have Australia's oldest parliamentary chamber officially censure him has failed, after the coalition opposition, the Greens and minor party MPs voted to adjourn the motion until October. The powerful privileges committee is investigating several complaints about Mr Latham, with some reports due back in October. The NSW government's upper house leader described the 16-to-22 vote loss as disappointing. "Mark Latham is a serial offender," Penny Sharpe told reporters on Wednesday. "There's no one he won't go after (and) there's no one he won't double down on. "We should be a model workplace, not a degenerate workplace." She also noted he called her an "ignorant pig" and her colleagues "disgusting frauds" during the chamber debate on Tuesday. Premier Chris Minns said MPs needed to "draw a line in the sand" and criticised Mr Latham for his sustained personal attacks on his political foes under parliamentary privilege. "That's his modus operandi. He goes after anyone who holds him to account ... he's a one-trick pony," he said. Mr Latham also used Tuesday night's debate to level unsubstantiated sexual harassment allegations against the premier, who declined to respond. "I'm not going to detail them one by one as if to give it credence or importance or it has been backed with some shred of evidence or information," Mr Minns said. Labor's motion was first flagged in June after Mr Latham aired information that now-former NSW police commissioner Karen Webb purchased dozens of bottles of gin using taxpayer money to hand out as gifts, and discussed the medical records of independent MP Alex Greenwich. That followed a court ordering Mr Latham to pay $140,000 in damages to Mr Greenwich in September 2024 over a sexually explicit and homophobic social media post that resulted in a defamation case. He had been referred to the privileges committee for an investigation, with a report on matters involving Ms Webb and NSW Police due in October. Mr Latham defended bringing up information about Ms Webb, arguing the public had a right to know because of an "undeclared conflict of interest" and relationship to the gin distillery owners. But he also hinted, without evidence, that the Minns government had covered up a sexual assault that took place in the NSW Parliament. He called several ministers "cowards and curs and quislings". In July, Mr Latham denied sexual abuse allegations levelled against him by a former partner. The woman made a private application for an apprehended domestic violence order at a local court in Sydney. Mr Latham resigned from federal parliament in 2005 and was ejected from the Labor Party before being elected to the NSW upper house in 2019 as a One Nation member. He quit that party in 2023, becoming an independent, with his term expiring in 2031.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Hiroshima marks 80 years since atomic bombing
Hiroshima has marked the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the western Japanese city, with many aging survivors expressing frustration about growing support among global leaders for nuclear weapons possession for deterrence. With the number of survivors rapidly declining and their average age now exceeding 86, Wednesday's anniversary is considered the last milestone event for many of them. "We don't have much time left, while we face greater nuclear threat than ever," Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese grassroots organisation of survivors that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024 for its pursuit of nuclear abolishment, said in a statement. "Our biggest challenge now is to change nuclear weapons states that give us cold shoulders even just a little." The bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, destroyed the city, killing 140,000 people. A second bomb dropped three days later on Nagasaki killed 70,000 more. Japan surrendered on August 15, ending World War II and Japan's nearly 50-year aggression in Asia. The anniversary comes at a time that possession of nuclear weapons for deterrence is increasingly supported by the international community, including Japan. US President Donald Trump 's remark justifying Washington's attack in June on Iran by comparing it to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the mild response from the Japanese government, disappointed the survivors. "It's ridiculous," said Kosei Mito, a 79-year-old former high school teacher who was exposed to radiation in his mother's womb. "I don't think we can get rid of nuclear weapons as long as it was justified by the assailant." Japan's government has rejected the survivors' desperate request to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons or attend its meeting as observers because it is under the protection of the US nuclear umbrella. Past prime ministers have stressed Japan's status as the world's only country to have suffered nuclear attacks and have said Japan is determined to pursue peace, but survivors say it's a hollow promise. The Japanese government has only paid compensation to war veterans and their families, even though survivors have sought redress for civilian victims. They have also sought acknowledgement by the US government of its responsibility for the civilian deaths. Hiroshima has marked the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the western Japanese city, with many aging survivors expressing frustration about growing support among global leaders for nuclear weapons possession for deterrence. With the number of survivors rapidly declining and their average age now exceeding 86, Wednesday's anniversary is considered the last milestone event for many of them. "We don't have much time left, while we face greater nuclear threat than ever," Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese grassroots organisation of survivors that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024 for its pursuit of nuclear abolishment, said in a statement. "Our biggest challenge now is to change nuclear weapons states that give us cold shoulders even just a little." The bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, destroyed the city, killing 140,000 people. A second bomb dropped three days later on Nagasaki killed 70,000 more. Japan surrendered on August 15, ending World War II and Japan's nearly 50-year aggression in Asia. The anniversary comes at a time that possession of nuclear weapons for deterrence is increasingly supported by the international community, including Japan. US President Donald Trump 's remark justifying Washington's attack in June on Iran by comparing it to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the mild response from the Japanese government, disappointed the survivors. "It's ridiculous," said Kosei Mito, a 79-year-old former high school teacher who was exposed to radiation in his mother's womb. "I don't think we can get rid of nuclear weapons as long as it was justified by the assailant." Japan's government has rejected the survivors' desperate request to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons or attend its meeting as observers because it is under the protection of the US nuclear umbrella. Past prime ministers have stressed Japan's status as the world's only country to have suffered nuclear attacks and have said Japan is determined to pursue peace, but survivors say it's a hollow promise. The Japanese government has only paid compensation to war veterans and their families, even though survivors have sought redress for civilian victims. They have also sought acknowledgement by the US government of its responsibility for the civilian deaths. Hiroshima has marked the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the western Japanese city, with many aging survivors expressing frustration about growing support among global leaders for nuclear weapons possession for deterrence. With the number of survivors rapidly declining and their average age now exceeding 86, Wednesday's anniversary is considered the last milestone event for many of them. "We don't have much time left, while we face greater nuclear threat than ever," Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese grassroots organisation of survivors that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024 for its pursuit of nuclear abolishment, said in a statement. "Our biggest challenge now is to change nuclear weapons states that give us cold shoulders even just a little." The bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, destroyed the city, killing 140,000 people. A second bomb dropped three days later on Nagasaki killed 70,000 more. Japan surrendered on August 15, ending World War II and Japan's nearly 50-year aggression in Asia. The anniversary comes at a time that possession of nuclear weapons for deterrence is increasingly supported by the international community, including Japan. US President Donald Trump 's remark justifying Washington's attack in June on Iran by comparing it to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the mild response from the Japanese government, disappointed the survivors. "It's ridiculous," said Kosei Mito, a 79-year-old former high school teacher who was exposed to radiation in his mother's womb. "I don't think we can get rid of nuclear weapons as long as it was justified by the assailant." Japan's government has rejected the survivors' desperate request to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons or attend its meeting as observers because it is under the protection of the US nuclear umbrella. Past prime ministers have stressed Japan's status as the world's only country to have suffered nuclear attacks and have said Japan is determined to pursue peace, but survivors say it's a hollow promise. The Japanese government has only paid compensation to war veterans and their families, even though survivors have sought redress for civilian victims. They have also sought acknowledgement by the US government of its responsibility for the civilian deaths. Hiroshima has marked the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the western Japanese city, with many aging survivors expressing frustration about growing support among global leaders for nuclear weapons possession for deterrence. With the number of survivors rapidly declining and their average age now exceeding 86, Wednesday's anniversary is considered the last milestone event for many of them. "We don't have much time left, while we face greater nuclear threat than ever," Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese grassroots organisation of survivors that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024 for its pursuit of nuclear abolishment, said in a statement. "Our biggest challenge now is to change nuclear weapons states that give us cold shoulders even just a little." The bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, destroyed the city, killing 140,000 people. A second bomb dropped three days later on Nagasaki killed 70,000 more. Japan surrendered on August 15, ending World War II and Japan's nearly 50-year aggression in Asia. The anniversary comes at a time that possession of nuclear weapons for deterrence is increasingly supported by the international community, including Japan. US President Donald Trump 's remark justifying Washington's attack in June on Iran by comparing it to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the mild response from the Japanese government, disappointed the survivors. "It's ridiculous," said Kosei Mito, a 79-year-old former high school teacher who was exposed to radiation in his mother's womb. "I don't think we can get rid of nuclear weapons as long as it was justified by the assailant." Japan's government has rejected the survivors' desperate request to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons or attend its meeting as observers because it is under the protection of the US nuclear umbrella. Past prime ministers have stressed Japan's status as the world's only country to have suffered nuclear attacks and have said Japan is determined to pursue peace, but survivors say it's a hollow promise. The Japanese government has only paid compensation to war veterans and their families, even though survivors have sought redress for civilian victims. They have also sought acknowledgement by the US government of its responsibility for the civilian deaths.
