Briefing on harms to UK veterans and the Kiribati community from nuclear testing

Organised by UNA UK and the PHRG.

Pictured (left to right): Rebecca Long-Bailey MP, Oli Troen, Brian Unthank, Cameron Thomas MP, Sophie Radice (Head of Campaigns, UNA-UK), Nicole Piché (PHRG Coordinator)

Speakers:

Brian Unthank – nuclear test veteran who as a young serviceman witnessed the nuclear explosions firsthand as part of Operation Grapple;

Oli Troen - Senior Associate at McCue Jury and Partners which advocate for victims’ rights;

Kaitama Toroto - community leader from Kiritimati Island, a region deeply affected by British nuclear testing

Chair: Rebecca Long-Bailey MP - a longstanding campaigner on these issues

Summary:

The speakers highlighted the devastating and ongoing impacts of the nuclear tests carried out by the British Government in the 1950s and 1960s on Kiritimati Island and other Pacific locations, which include severe health problems, environmental damage, and generational trauma, and called on the UK government to finally take responsibility, address these historical wrongs, and remedy what is widely viewed as an institutional betrayal.

Main points:

• The effects of the nuclear testing continue to impact the health of members of the UK military present at the testings, with longer-term genetic damage potentially affecting more than 155,000 of their living descendants.

• The nuclear test veterans are fighting to access their medical records, which the Ministry of Defence have kept from them for decades.

• Despite overwhelming evidence, and concerns raised by Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, several of whom have affected constituents, the UK government has yet to provide adequate support or compensation to the nuclear test veterans, leaving many to face lifelong struggles, and has instead fought the veterans and indigenous communities at every step of the way.  

  A possible way forward to secure justice for the veterans would be to constitute a special tribunal with the power to compel witnesses and gather evidence to confirm the extent of the damage.

• The indigenous populations living in Kiribati also continue to experience repercussions. For decades, they have had their voices suppressed by colonial powers, then ignored by the British government. There was an urgent need to right historical wrongs and to ensure fairness for the future, with the UK government taking responsibility and compensating the people of Kiribati.

The PHRG will continue to raise related issues with relevant interlocutors and have suggested MPs on a cross-party basis apply for a debate calling for further detailed research and dedicated compensation for the nuclear test veterans, as well as engagement with relevant Select Committees.