On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, PRIF and IPPNW Germany jointly hosted a film screening and panel discussion on May 8, 2025, at PRIF. The panel featured international lawyer Aigerim Seitenova, nuclear survivors Aigerim Yelgeldy and Hinamoeura Morgant-Cross, QNFC Co-Founder Yerdaulet Rakhmatulla, and PRIF Senior Researcher Caroline Fehl. The discussion was moderated by Juliane Hauschulz (IPPNW).
As the lights dimmed in the conference room at PRIF, a powerful documentary set the tone for the evening. JARA – Radioactive Patriarchy: Women of Qazaqstan, directed by Aigerim Seitenova, revealed the stories of six Kazakh women affected by Soviet-era nuclear testing in the Semipalatinsk region: The Soviet Union tested over 400 nuclear bombs in the region between 1949 and 1989 The word jara, meaning “a wound” in Kazakh, evokes the image of nuclear wounds that spread generational trauma, radioactive contamination, and gendered dimensions of suffering.
A panel discussion followed the film, during which survivors of nuclear tests shared further moving reports. Aigerim Yelgeldy, from Kazakhstan, who has been living with cancer since 2015, informed the audience about the devastating impact of the “Polygon” nuclear site on her own health and shared accounts of losing several loved ones to radiation-related complications.
Hinamoeura Morgant-Cross from Mā'ohi Nui in French Polynesia, where France tested a total of 188 nuclear weapons, shared her diagnosis of leukemia at the age of 25 and how her two young children became her anchor of hope and her drive for justice. In her own words: “I engaged for the cause fairly late, soon enough realizing that even my voice makes a difference and any effort taken will surely benefit generations after me.”
Human rights advocate Aigerim Seitenova spoke about her efforts to fight for justice for victims in Kazakhstan and addressed the responsibility of both governments and international bodies to confront past injustices and prevent future harm. She emphasized that reparations at the national level are nearly impossible without sustained international pressure.
Caroline Fehl stressed that the pursuit of nuclear disarmament must remain a continuous effort. She highlighted the importance of transparency, enforceable policy measures, and international cooperation in addressing the challenges of nuclear proliferation and ensuring global security.
The event concluded with a call for continued dialogue, inclusive justice mechanisms, and stronger support for nuclear survivors worldwide. IPPNW (German Section of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War) is an international NGO that campaigns for the prevention of nuclear war and raises awareness of the human cost of nuclear warfare and testing. Through their international educational work, they strive to promote disarmament and ensure justice for victims. The event at PRIF was part of a series organized by IPPNW, bringing nuclear survivors to Germany. In addition to Frankfurt, discussions and film screenings took place in Hamburg, Bonn, and Berlin.
