New York – In a crowded room overlooking the United Nations headquarters, the lawyer for nuclear justice Kazakh Aigerim Seitenova created his documentary “Jara – Radioactive Patriarcy: Women of Qazaqstan”. Screening took place on the sidelines of the third meeting of the states of the Treaty Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
The documentary produces independently finds environmental destruction and the humanitarian effects caused by the 456 nuclear trials carried out in Kazakhstan over 40 years by the Soviet Union.
Seitenova, a third generation survivor of Soviet nuclear tests, was motivated to face and understand the nuclear heritage of his own family. She is also a co-founder of the Qazaq Nuclear Frontline Coalition, which aims to empower the nuclers by strengthening their role in civil society.
The film weaves together six testimonies of women in nuclear regions, focusing on the sexospecific impacts of influence, the consequences of technocratic militarization and the management of women within local communities.
In Kazakh, “Jara” means “injury” and the spectator remembers how, for so long, these voices have never been heard.
Aigerim Seitenova film poster.
“This film is a work of love and I sharing my vulnerability with the world,” said Seitenova in a speech presenting the film. “I wanted to raise my agency and theirs, to share our stories as legitimate without us only as victims but agents of change and owners of our stories.”
The film is dedicated to the grandmother of Seitenova, who lost three of her 12 children and her husband with the consequences of nuclear tests. At the time of the birth of Seitenova, his grandmother had lost his sight.
“All she could see was a shadow of my figure … I wanted her to see me, but I am happy that she heard my noisy and clear voice. Now I use this same voice to defend nuclear justice. She would have loved it, “said Seitenova.
Seitenova plans to project his film into major European cities, such as Berlin, Paris and London, in the coming months. She’s going here His film at the Davis Center at Harvard University on March 13.
The event was part of a series of events parallel to the third meeting of the States of the Treaty States Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
Kazakhstan was one of the 50 states of origin that signed and ratified the treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons in 2018. The first vice-minister of foreign affairs in Kazakhstan, Akan Rakhmetulin, led the conference this week.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called For the “complete renunciation of nuclear weapons by 2045”. Kazakhstan is the only part of Central Asia campaign at TPNW.
The inheritance of nuclear weapons tests remains in the historic memory of Kazakhstan. At the Semipalatinsk test site, the Soviet Union conduit 116 Atmospheric nuclear weapons tests and 340 underground nuclear tests. The last nuclear test was carried out on the site in 1989.
Despite the closure of the site in 1991, the effects of Soviet nuclear tests persist. Civilians living near the test site were exposed to high levels of radiation resulting in an increase case cancer and genetic disorders.
Diana Serikzhankyzy, born and raised in Semey, formerly Semipalatinsk, was diagnosed with dysarthria, which prevented her from developing the ability to speak.
Before a crowd of young conference leaders, Serikzhankyzy shared his testimony and his struggle to overcome the lasting effects of nuclear trials.
“I lived among the children without eyes, without the ability to hear or speak. They dream of having what so many politicians are trying for granted, “said Serikzhankyzy.
Diana Serikzhankyzy is standing next to the famous sculpture “knot pistol”, the title “Nonviolence”, which stands in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York. Photo provided by Diana Serikzhankyzy.
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (TNP), which entered into force in 1970, recognizes China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States as “nuclear weapons” in exchange for their progressive disarmament and their support for non-nuclear weapons of access to peaceful use of nuclear technology. On the other hand, the TPNW directly calls for the complete abolition of nuclear weapons.
Yerdaulet Rakhmatulla speaks during an event on the sidelines of the third meeting of the States Parties of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Photo provided by Yerdaulet Rakhmatulla.
Yerdaulet Rakhmatulla, who co -founded the Qazaq Nuclear Frontline Coalition, said: “Thanks to the management of Kazakhstan on the conference, we now have greater visibility.”
The Coalition engaged in various parallel events at the conference, especially during the “Nevada-Semey 2.0” meeting, which focused on revitalizing cooperation between American communities, First Nations and Kazakh communities.
“Nuclear justice is one of the few areas where our government has worked closely and effectively with civil society. It was a progressive step in the right direction, “said Rakhmatulla.
The nuclear abolitionist conference at the United Nations this week has seen various members of civil society, from religious leaders to activists, participate alongside decision -makers.
While the northeast winds launched into the streets of New York, the flags of 193 nations floated in front of a lonely tower symbolizing the hope of humanity now aged 80 years. The memory of Hiroshima, Nagasaki and nuclear anxieties of the Cold War can disappear in certain places, but not among those who directly wore the cost.
“I will fight for a world without nuclear weapons,” promised Serikzhankyzy. “My country and I paid too high a price.”