Marshall Islands seeks UN apology for nuclear test involvement

In a recent address to the United Nations, Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine demanded an apology for the UN's indirect role in the nuclear tests carried out by the United States on the islands between 1946 and 1958. During this period, the US detonated 67 nuclear bombs, leading to devastating health and environmental consequences for the local population. The fallout from these tests has resulted in ongoing health issues, including cancer, affecting generations of Marshall Islanders. Heine highlighted the historical context, noting that at the time of the tests, the US was the UN's administering authority for the Marshall Islands. She pointed out that this was the only instance where a UN organ explicitly authorized nuclear weapon detonations. The President emphasized that the Marshallese people had previously petitioned against the UN Trusteeship Resolutions that placed their territory under US control, which they believe contributed to their suffering. The legacy of these nuclear tests has left deep scars on the community, with many residents displaced from their home islands due to contamination. Heine described the situation as a burden passed down through generations, with ongoing health problems and unmet claims for compensation. In her speech, Heine called for the UN to adopt a resolution that formally apologizes for its failure to address the concerns of the Marshallese people, asserting that acknowledging this painful history is essential for healing and making amends for the past actions that have caused lasting harm.