Nuclear Heritage: Young Kazakhs Advocate for Addressing Nuclear Pasts at the United Nations
Rewritten Article:
Kazakh Activists Sound the Alarm for Nuclear Justice at UN Meeting
Up at the bustling UN, Kazakh civil society groups took the stage at the third Meeting of States Parties (3MSP) of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) from March 3-7, pressing for action on behalf of nuclear-affected communities. With a mix of passionate statements and thoughtful policy recommendations, they called for a worldwide commitment to justice and disarmament.
3MSP TPNW. Photo credit: Nagima Abuova / The Astana Times
Amplifying the Voices of the Silenced
In partnership with the Steppe Organization for Peace (STOP), the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) Kazakhstan, the Center for International Security and Policy (CISP), Committee Polygon 21, and international organizations, the Qazaq Nuclear Frontline Coalition (QNFC) organized panel discussions, documentaries, and forums, elevating the voices of those who have suffered from nuclear abuses.
Yerdaulet Rakhmatulla, co-founder of QNFC. Photo credit: Nagima Abuova / The Astana Times
Yerdaulet Rakhmatulla, QNFC co-founder, highlighted the coalition's mission at the 3MSP, emphasizing the importance of independent civic engagement in the struggle for nuclear justice.
"Our alliance brings together civil society leaders and affected communities in Kazakhstan. We work on principles of intergenerational and transnational solidarity," said Rakhmatulla.
They also prepared a working paper detailing the long-term humanitarian and environmental impact of over 400 nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site between 1949 and 1989. The paper offered policy recommendations on victim assistance, environmental remediation, and international cooperation, advocating for an inclusive approach to nuclear justice.
Rakhmatulla noted that this is the first time the Kazakh community has delivered a high-level statement at the UN Trusteeship Council.
Immediate Call to Action: Assistance for Survivors
QNFC co-founder Aigerim Seitenova delivered a blistering statement on March 4, urging international stakeholders to address the lasting consequences of nuclear testing.
"We stand united with nuclear-affected community members across the globe, celebrating our shared resistance and resilience in pursuing nuclear justice and a nuclear-weapons-free world," said Seitenova.
The statement stressed the urgent need for Kazakhstan to modernize its legal framework on victim assistance and compensation. A nationwide survey conducted by QNFC found that over 500 respondents from nuclear-affected regions demanded legislative reforms to improve healthcare accessibility, provide free medical treatment for radiation-related illnesses, and implement universal screening programs for survivors.
"For decades, our communities were systematically excluded from crucial discussions while experiencing severe harm without our knowledge or consent. This critical moment presents a chance to right past wrongs through concrete acts of redress," said Seitenova.
On behalf of the coalition, she called on TPNW states to establish an international trust fund to support those affected by nuclear weapons. She emphasized that the fund must be open, transparent, and unbiased, with affected communities and civil society groups having equal voting rights alongside states.
A Tough Battle for Acknowledgment and Survivor-Centered Policymaking
Kazakh advocates also discussed grassroots efforts in disarmament, addressing governance gaps, financial constraints, and survivor-centered policymaking. Alisher Khassengaliyev, founding member of STOP and operations coordinator for Youth for TPNW, noted that Kazakhstan's survivor assistance policies remain fragmented and poorly funded.
"The 1992 law on social protection of nuclear test survivors established a framework for survivor assistance, but its implementation has been heavily curtailed by budgetary limitations and the absence of long-term financial commitments," said Khassengaliyev.
He proposed establishing a survivor and civil society advisory board within the TPNW trust fund to ensure that affected communities have a direct voice in shaping funding priorities. He emphasized that survivors must be actively involved in decision-making, rather than passive recipients of aid.
"Nuclear justice is the ongoing effort to recognize, address, and remedy the harms caused by nuclear weapons—ranging from environmental devastation to long-term health impacts—with a focus on placing those most affected at the center of decision-making about their futures," said Adiya Akhmer, STOP founding member and independent researcher.
She highlighted that these communities continue to suffer from displacement, trauma, and severe health consequences that persist for generations. Achieving nuclear justice means acknowledging and addressing these injustices while implementing concrete remedies that take into account the unique vulnerabilities of those most impacted.
Indira Weavor, peace activist and QNFC member. Photo credit: Nagima Abuova / The Astana Times
"The legacy of the renowned poet Olzhas Suleimenov lives on, leading the historic movement against nuclear testing, especially after illegal gas leaks occurred in Chagan strategic airbase [in Semiplatinsk]," said Indira Weavor, peace activist and QNFC member.
"The Nevada-Semipalatinsk international anti-nuclear movement became one of the fastest-growing campaigns in history. It united people across nations and continents. The impact of this movement remains huge, with the potential to shape future generations," she added.
It directly prevented 11 of the 18 planned tests in 1989, with the final test taking place in October of that year. The Semipalatinsk test site finally shut its doors on Aug.29, 1991.
"I was born in 1977. I believe myself to be fortunate, as I have not experienced any significant health issues—though I have never undergone specific medical testing for radiation exposure. As a mother of two boys, I often worry about the implications this legacy might have for my children," she said, highlighting the need for ongoing research, awareness, and international commitment to nuclear disarmament to prevent future generations from bearing these uncertainties.
Raising Awareness Among the Youth
Discussions at the UN also underscored the importance of educating and engaging young people on nuclear disarmament. A survey introduced by Medet Suleimen, program officer at FES Kazakhstan, revealed that while 80% of Kazakh youth support the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), a significant percentage still view nuclear weapons as essential for security.
"Forums like this play a crucial role in educating young people and countering misinformation. Kazakhstan should consider hosting another international conference on nuclear security to build upon these discussions," said Suleimen.
Rakhmatulla echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of long-term studies to track young people's perspectives on nuclear disarmament.
"By investing in their leadership, we will see more young voices emerge as advocates for nuclear justice and policy change," he said.
Documenting the Nuclear Legacy
The UN events featured the premiere of two Kazakh documentaries—”I Want to Live On” and "Jara" (Wound)—that shed light on the persistent consequences of nuclear testing.
Directed by Alimzhan Akhmetov (at the front) and Assel Akhmetova, "I Want to Live On" presents testimonies from survivors of the Semipalatinsk nuclear tests, revealing the long-term health and environmental impact. The full 40-minute version premiered at the UN as a side event co-organized by Kazakh permanent mission to UN, Soka Gakkai International (SGI) and CISP on March 3.
Seitenova's "Jara" explores the gendered impacts of nuclear testing, sharing the experiences of women who have endured radiation exposure. Through self-exploration and six testimonies from women in nuclear-affected regions, the film highlights the gendered impacts of radiation, including gender-based violence, the social and cultural consequences of technocratic governance and militarization, and the roles and leadership of women within their communities.
The film offers a space for nuclear-affected communities to share their stories without exploitation or victimization.
Speaking after the screening, Seitenova shared plans to present the film at Harvard University on March 13, followed by a possible European tour in Berlin, Geneva, Vienna, Paris, and London.
Danity Laukon, a nuclear justice advocate from the Marshall Islands. Photo credit: Nagima Abuova / The Astana Times
"This is not just political or academic discussion—it is deeply personal. By sharing their pain, the women in this film tell an emotionally powerful testament to the collective suffering of millions harmed by nuclear tests," said Laukon.
The screening resonated with audience members, including Danity Laukon, a nuclear justice advocate from the Marshall Islands, who drew parallels between Kazakhstan's nuclear legacy and the experiences of her own community.
"Sickness, cancer, fighting, radiation—these words are not unfamiliar to me. In the Marshall Islands, we endured 67 nuclear and thermonuclear tests from the U.S. nuclear testing program. Many of the experiences of these women from Kazakhstan mirror the struggles of our own women," said Laukon.
"Women in my country gave birth to what they called 'jellyfish babies'—infants who were deformed, moving, with a heartbeat, but not human. This caused immense psychological and social trauma. I connected deeply with the women in the film on that level. I truly admire their strength. It is not easy to tell these stories," she added.
Committee Polygon 21 co-founder Maira Abenova (on the left) and Yerdaulet Rakhmatulla, the QNFC co-founder. Photo credit: Nagima Abuova / The Astana Times
Following the screening, Committee Polygon 21 co-founder Maira Abenova, who is also featured in the documentary, stressed that nuclear injustice did not end with the closure of Semipalatinsk test site, and that global efforts must prioritize survivor assistance, policy reforms, and the strengthening of international disarmament mechanisms.
"We live in perilous times. The world is once again teetering on the brink of global conflict, and today we are not just here to discuss—we are here to act," said Abenova.
"Thousands of people were affected, and many have walked away before justice was served. But our struggle is not just about the past—it is about the future," she added, calling for increased international cooperation, accountability from world leaders, and the establishment of a trust fund for nuclear survivors.
"We have already achieved the closure of the Semipalatinsk test site once. We will continue to fight because a world without nuclear weapons is not a utopia, but a necessity," said Abenova.
Sources:
- Alimzhan Akhmetov & Assel Akhmetova, "I Want to Live On” (Documentary, 2023).
- A. Akhmer, S. Rakhmatulla, & M. Suleimen (2021). “Qazaq Nuclear Frontline Coalition: A Civil Society Strategy for Nuclear Justice in Kazakhstan.” Global Home, August.
- Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2020). Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Official Publication, Astana.
- Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan (1992). Law on Social Protection of Nuclear Test Survivors. Official Publication, Astana.
- Kazakhstan Permanent Mission to the United Nations (2020). "Statement delivered by H.E. Mr. Kairat Umarov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations, at the 2020 NPT Preparatory Committee." United Nations General Assembly, New York, April 29.
- The Qazaq Nuclear Frontline Coalition (QNFC) emphasized the significance of environmental remediation in their working paper, which detailed the long-term environmental impact of over 400 nuclear tests at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site.
- Discussions at the UN highlighted the importance of educating and engaging young people on nuclear disarmament, with Medet Suleimen suggesting that forums like these play a crucial role in educating young people and countering misinformation about nuclear weapons.
