Editing Struan Stevenson (section)

=== Semipalatinsk radiation victims ===

As an MEP, Stevenson led an international campaign to raise awareness and secure aid for the victims of radiation in the [[Semipalatinsk]] region of [[Kazakhstan]], where the [[USSR|Soviet Union government]] tested 607 [[nuclear weapons|nuclear devices]] from 1949 to 1990, leaving an appalling legacy of pollution, deprivation, illness and death. He was awarded with an [[honorary doctorate]] in Science from the Semey State Medical Academy, [[Semipalatinsk|State Medical Academy]] in Semipalatinsk in recognition of his efforts and on his third visit to Kazakhstan in 2003, he was made an honorary citizen of Semipalatinsk.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stevenson |first=Struan |title=International Affairs ⋆ Scottish Conservatives European Parliament |url=https://struanstevenson.com/interests/international-affairs/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=Scottish Conservatives European Parliament |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stevenson |first=Struan |date=2020-08-29 |title=HERALD ARTICLE of 29th AUGUST 2020 ⋆ Scottish Conservatives European Parliament |url=https://struanstevenson.com/news-and-views/articles/herald-article-29th-august-2020/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=Scottish Conservatives European Parliament |language=en-US}}</ref>

In September 2004 Stevenson won a $50,000 prize in an international essay competition sponsored by the US-based [[John Templeton Foundation]] for an essay entitled "Crying Forever" describing the suffering of the people of Semipalatinsk. Stevenson donated the entire $50,000 to [[Mercy Corps]] Scotland to assist with their work in Semipalatinsk.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Stevenson |first=Struan |title=Human Rights ⋆ Scottish Conservatives European Parliament |url=https://struanstevenson.com/interests/human-rights/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=Scottish Conservatives European Parliament |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2006 he published a book, also entitled ''Crying Forever'', detailing his experiences in Kazakhstan. The book was launched at the UN Headquarters in New York and all proceeds from its sale were presented by Stevenson to the Children's Hospital in Semipalatinsk, totalling over $20,000. In January 2007 Stevenson was decorated by the [[President of Kazakhstan]] with the "Shapagat" ("Mercy") award for his humanitarian work in Semipalatinsk.<ref name=":1" />