Karina Lester, a Yankunytjatjara-Anangu woman, second-generation nuclear test survivor, and ICAN Ambassador is attending the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York this week.

On Thursday March 7th, Karina delivered a statement during the segment on Victim Assistance and Environmental Remediation and International Cooperation where TPNW States Parties and civil society organisations have been sharing perspectives on the implementation on Articles 6&7 of the TPNW, which require states parties of the TPNW work collaboratively to provide support to communities impacted by the use and testing of nuclear weapons.

In her statement, Karina shared the impacts and ongoing legacy of British nuclear testing on her family, community and traditional lands and outlined the expectations from affected community members worldwide for support under Articles 6&7 of the TPNW.

Karina called out the Australian Government’s lack of action on the TPNW to date, and made clear that it is time for Australia to sign and ratify the TPNW, without delay.

The Statement reads as follows:

Good afternoon delegates

Today I stand before you as a proud Yankunytjatjara Woman, mother of four and a Second Generation Survivor of the British Nuclear Tests that took place in the 1950’s – 1960’s in South Australia, Australia.

My name is Karina Lester, my traditional lands are in the middle of Australia, in Yankunytjatjara country, sand hills and dry river beds, but it is my home. My father was blinded by the first mainland nuclear bomb test in Australia roughly 160km (99 miles) away from my fathers birth place, at Walyatjata on the 15th October 1953. He was just a young boy when the low-lying black mist came through his camp, poisoning the country, poisoning people, Anangu Tjuta. By 1957 at the young age of 16 his world turned into complete darkness.

Some of the elders died, too weak and everyone started to experience strange illnesses they’d never felt before. The radioactive legacy of the British nuclear testing in Australia runs through our family. My father never saw my siblings or I, or his grandchildren. He knew us all by voice and colours (synesthesia). He committed much of his life to working for Aboriginal rights and for the end of nuclear weapons. Throughout the decades, very little support has been offered to some people impacted by nuclear weapons, but the vast majority have had nothing. Now, so many of those first witnesses and frontline affected people have died, many from radiation-related cancers or illnesses. But the impacts of the bombs didn’t stop with them, their damaged DNA is cruelly passed down to children, grandchildren, and great grannies.

Articles 6&7 of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons are deeply significant for survivors and descendants of nuclear weapons use and testing worldwide. We look to these articles with hope. We also look to the Articles with expectation.

With this treaty, you have an opportunity to do the right thing for communities affected by nuclear weapons. Tangible, grounded, practical good, and this needs to be done soon. Research into the health impacts of nuclear testing could be funded, people with radiation-related illnesses could get transport and medicines, and environmental contamination could be, and needs to be addressed. We can begin the conversations on what nuclear justice needs to look like for us affected communities, us with the lived experiences. But we need to get it right.

In relation to the proposed International Trust Fund, there must be meaningful participation of affected communities in how it runs. It must be open to First Nations people and affected communities in states not party to the treaty. Don’t make us pay,
again, for the wrongs of the governments that have harmed us, and that remain outside the treaty. Such governments should also be able to contribute to the fund before becoming States parties. This practical support is a meaningful way for governments to support the goals of the treaty, and to be accountable for historic harm.

I am concerned and deeply saddened that my own country has yet to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition on Nuclear Weapons. My country, my traditional lands, has felt the reality of nuclear weapons use. We even launched the movement that
brought us to this day here in New York – the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Yet despite promises, despite the expectations of community members and parliamentarians, and despite the clear and urgent need, we are still
waiting.

Australia is the gap in our region. And this is shameful, nothing but broken promises. Many of our friends in the Pacific Islands, and those in South East Asia have joined the Treaty. We call on our government to sign and ratify, to join this community of nations in working together to abolish nuclear weapons.

I’m here today with my 17 year old son William. I want his future and that of all my children and grandchildren, and the children of our world to be protected from the uncivilised and brutal threat of nuclear weapons. These weapons have already taken
too much from us. It’s time now for repair, and for making things right.