Colin Beattie MSP has shown his support for the Hibakusha Appeal. This appeal calls on State Governments to adopt the United Nations nuclear weapons ban on humanitarian grounds. So far, 9.4 million people around the world have signed the petition. Follow this link to sign the petition online. Every SNP MSP in the Scottish Parliament has signed this appeal, following Bill Kidd MSP’s circulation of the petition. This movement runs in parallel with ongoing talks at the United Nations Headquarters where representatives of nuclear power states meet to discuss next year’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference.
‘Hibakusha’ is a Japanese word for the group of people that survived atomic bombs. In 1945 at the end of World War II, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima and then, three days later, on the city of Nagasaki. These two atomic nuclear bombs killed tens of thousands instantly. Within the first few months 214,000 people, the majority of whom were women and children, died. Many more passed away in the following months and years due to radiation-related illnesses and poisoning. Second generation Hibakusha are also at higher risk of developing radiation related illnesses, like many forms of cancer. This severe humanitarian cost is why it is so important that we say ‘No’ to nuclear weapons. Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said, “This growing support for the Hibakusha Appeal, where there is now over 9.4 million signatures, shows that people from all walks of life are deeply concerned that the atrocities seen in 1945 and subsequent nuclear bomb testing is not repeated. The SNP is committed to removing nuclear weapons from Scotland- we want to ensure a better, brighter future. We often think of nuclear weapons as a potential atrocity, but not as a horror that was lived. The testimonies of the Hibakusha show the dark reality of nuclear weapons. I would encourage all to consider signing this Appeal.” Setsuko Thurlow, an initial signatory of the Hibakusha Appeal, has been an active campaigner for the prohibition of nuclear weapons. At the age of 13 Thurlow survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Her testimony highlights the harrowing experiences that thousands have had to live through. Although it may be painful to read or hear about her experience, it brings home the humanitarian cost. In this, she talks of the 7000-8000 school pupils from her year group were outside clearing fire lanes on the day of the bombing. When the atomic bomb was dropped, the schoolchildren were close to what would be the epicentre (the centre of the explosion that was about 1 million degrees Celsius). Nearly all of the children were incinerated and vaporised without a trace. Thurlow was not in the group. Instead, she was trapped in a building that fell due to the explosion. She was helped out of the burning building, but many of her classmates remained trapped in the same room and were burned alive. Thurlow spoke of finding some of her family: “my sister and her four-year-old old son were crossing a bridge at the moment of the explosion and both were horribly burned, blackened and swollen by recognition. We could later recognise my sister only by her voice and by a unique hairpin in her hair. They lingered for several days without medical care until death at last released them from their agony. The image of my little nephew Eiji, representing the innocent children of the world, compels and drives me to continue to speak of Hiroshima, no matter how painful it may be.” Thurlow was not alone in this grief as her parents did survive the bombing. Hibakusha Stories, a UN affiliated organisation and Nobel Peace Prize ICAN-partner organisation, shares the testimonies of atomic bomb survivors with the rest of the world. You can read these testimonies at hibakushastories.org. Setsuko Thurlow’s testimony can be read in full on this website. On 7th July 2017, the United Nations adopted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This bans nuclear weapons on humanitarian grounds. The Hibakusha Appeal calls of all states, including nuclear weapon powers, to ratify the treaty and disarm any arsenals.
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Last Week, Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh met with Scottish Water on site at the Mary Burn to be provided with a further update on the action being taken to clear the sewage at the site.
Following months of communication with Scottish Water, Mr Beattie again met with representatives to find out what action has been taken recently to remove the pollution, protect local residents and wildlife from the effects of it, and prevent recurrence. Scottish Water has advised that they have continued the clear up on site at the burn with Rentokil in place carrying out the clean up. A tree surgeon has been employed to gain access to the hard to reach parts of the burn. They also advised that a 2nd Screen has now been fitted to the sewage outlet with the hope that it will catch the wipes and towels before they flood into the burn and have promised to ensure that all outstanding debris will be removed as soon as possible. After every rainfall Scottish Water will attend the site and inspect for new pollution or exposure of old material and remove any debris from the site. Speaking after the site visit, Colin Beattie MSP said: “I thank Scottish Water for the action that has been taken so far and for keeping me updated. I do appreciate that there are some positive improvements, however, there are still too many old sanitary towels around the site which is likely due to the exposure of old material from current rainfall. Coupled with disturbances caused by the activities of the tree surgeon. ” “I expect that Scottish Water continues to clean up the site as promised and will inspect the site after each rainfall to check for new pollution and remove any exposed old material.” “I still have some reservations about the changes to the system and whether they are as effective as hoped for but I will continue to monitor and inspect myself.” “I again encourage all residents to think before they flush!” Colin Beattie MSP is backing a charity’s campaign which aims to ensure that Midlothian residents who are Deaf or have hearing loss are not left out of everyday conversations.
During Deaf Awareness Week (6-12 May), the MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh is urging constituents to get involved in Action on Hearing Loss Scotland’s #DontBeADonut #BeDeafAware conversations on Facebook and Twitter at @hearinglossSCO and on Instagram at @actiononhearinglossscotland. The MSP, who is the Deputy Convener for the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Deafness, is also encouraging everyone to take on board the charity’s deaf awareness top tips to help include people who are deaf in chats, discussions or meetings:
Colin Beattie MSP said: “I’m delighted to back Action on Hearing Loss Scotland’s Deaf Awareness Week #DontBeADonut #BeDeafAware campaign calling on everyone in Midlothian North and Musselburgh to follow the charity’s top communication tips which can make a huge difference in helping local people who are Deaf or have hearing loss have better opportunities to participate in everyday chats and discussions.” For details about how you can get involved in the charity’s Deaf Awareness Week activities, visit www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/DAW19, call/text: 07388 227407 or email: scotland@hearingloss.org.uk Colin Beattie MSP is urging older veterans to pick up a guide which has been produced to raise awareness about the need to act swiftly if they are having hearing or sight problems.
The MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh welcomed the collaboration by Age Scotland, Action on Hearing Loss Scotland and Scottish War Blinded to produce the Combating Sight and Hearing Loss guide which advises veterans losing their sight or hearing where they can get help and support. Action on Hearing Loss Scotland’s Hearing Forces project, Age Scotland and Scottish War Blinded are members of Unforgotten Forces which is a partnership of 16 organisations, led by Poppyscotland, delivering enhanced services for older veterans. Colin Beattie MSP said: “I’m delighted to discover that three of the leading charities in the Unforgotten Forces consortium have worked together to produce a very informative guide which is helping veterans aged 65 or over about the signs of sight or hearing loss and where they can go to seek support. “I encourage older veterans in Midlothian North and Musselburgh to obtain a copy and find out about the range of life-enhancing services and support that is available for those affected by hearing loss or sight loss in everyday life.” Teri Devine, Director of Action on Hearing Loss Scotland, said: “We appreciate Colin Beattie MSP’s backing for the new guide as well as our Hearing Forces service through which we aim to inform and support older veterans about how they can start benefiting from using hearing aids and assistive technology to follow conversations with family or friends more clearly.” To get a free copy of Unforgotten Forces’s Combating Sight and Hearing Loss guide, call the Age Scotland Helpline on telephone: 0800 12 44 222 or download from www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/Combat VOTE SNP TO ‘MAKE SCOTLAND’S VOICE IN EUROPE HEARD’
The SNP has urged people in East Lothian and Midlothian to register to vote by 7 May for the upcoming European Parliament elections, warning it’s the only way to ensure Scotland’s voice is heard in Europe. Research published today revealed that 600,000 Scots who are eligible to vote in this month’s elections have not registered yet. Unlike the Brexit referendum, EU citizens living in the UK can vote in European parliamentary elections. To be able to vote in the European Parliament elections, people must be registered to vote by midnight on 7 May. The elections will take place on 23 May. SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: “People in Scotland overwhelmingly voted to remain in the European Union - but even many of those who voted to leave have real concerns about the extreme Brexit now being pursued. “We know that Brexit will harm our economy, cost jobs and hit people's pockets, which is why it’s vital that anyone who has not registered to vote does so as soon as possible. “Never before have European elections been so important. We need strong SNP voices in Europe to send a clear message that we will not accept a Brexit process which fails to represent Scotland's interests. “A vote for the SNP is a vote to make clear that Scotland says no to Brexit.” |
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