SUVA, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Organizations in the Pacific island nation of Fiji on Thursday condemned Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean, urging Tokyo to stop its action immediately.
The Suva Fish Market Association said the waste will be toxic to a certain level, which will affect the marine ecosystem including fish, seaweeds, corals and other sources of their livelihoods.
President of the association Samu Maraiwai told Fijivillage News that the future generation will be massively affected in the next 40 years.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, Ocean Vision Legal and the Pacific Network on Globalization pleaded with the UN Human Rights Council to intervene and halt the dumping immediately until all effects have been assessed and less harmful options have been investigated.
It said the release of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated wastewater is a huge violation of human rights, urging Japan to address the concerns of the Pacific region.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Non-government organization (NGO) Coalition On Human Rights made a desperate call to the Fijian government, and other Pacific Islands for international action to stop Japan's move.
Noelene Nabulivou, the founder of a feminist collective, said there is widespread support for a stronger stance from the Pacific leaders, as this is something that "not only concerns this generation but countless generations after us."
The coalition will stage a protest on Friday against Japan's dumping, followed by a people's rally at Albert Park in Suva, the capital of Fiji.
Despite international concerns and opposition, Japan started releasing nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday. ■
