Nuclear justice in the Pacific: Churches do what governments often are not able to

Nuclear justice in the Pacific: Churches do what governments often are not able to

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Wed, 09/30/2026 - 12:12

Tamatoa Tepuhiarii of Moruroa e Tātou nongovernmental organization and the Ètārētia Porotetani Māòhi (the Māòhi Protestant Church), currently pursuing PhD research on Nuclear Justice and Gender in the Sea of Islands (Pacific), was among the speakers at the World Council of Churches (WCC) cohosted side event at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, addressing the human rights impacts of nuclear testing across the region. In this conversation, the WCC 11th Assembly youth delegate shares his view on the unique role churches can play in the pursuit of nuclear justice today.

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Tamatoa Tepuhiarii speaks at the World Council of Churches (WCC) cohosted side event at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, addressing the human rights impacts of nuclear testing in Pacific.

Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC

It is nearly 30 years since France's last nuclear test in Moruroa/Māòhi Nui (French Polynesia) - what does justice still look like for the local communities affected?

Tepuhiarii: Well, yes,…