Dutch Radical Solidarity declared the week between 2 and 9 January a week of permanent action in support of 4 activists detained by the Dutch police while protesting in front of the OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) to draw attention to the use of chemical weapons by the Turkish state on 3 December.

Dutch Radical Solidarity issued a written statement called “Freedom for political prisoners”. The organisation called on everyone to express their solidarity during the week of action and added that they want to put pressure on the Dutch state and bring the pressure on the Kurds to the attention of the public.

The statement recalls that “on 3 December, about 100 people held a demonstration in front of the OPCW building in Den Haag city. Activists protested the Turkish state's use of chemical weapons in South Kurdistan. Chemical weapons are used against the people of the region and the revolutionary fighters in the Kurdish mountains. Despite repeated requests for an independent investigation into Turkey's use of chemical weapons, a deafening silence prevailed throughout the OPCW.

About 50 activists briefly occupied the OPCW building as an act of civil disobedience. The police used excessive force against them and 4 people were hospitalized. Police broke one person's arm and another activist's nose. 44 people were detained.”

The statement adds that “4 of our Kurdish comrades are still detained in different cities of the Netherlands. They will remain in detention until the trial, which will take place on 23 February. This speaks volumes about the systematic racism of the Dutch state: white activists are often quickly released after similar actions. We condemn excessive police brutality and oppose these ridiculous trials. The fight against war crimes should be supported by everyone and should not be criminalized in any way. Everyone has the right to take action and should have spaces for their voices to be heard.”

Activists in Europe have raised their voices against the repression of Kurdish activists by the Dutch state. Protests were held at various Dutch consulates and embassies, including in London, Brussels, Vienna, Basel and Strasbourg. Solidarity statements and photos from Germany, Catalonia, Galicia and the Philippines were also shared by activists. We send our sincere greetings to everyone who brings international solidarity to life.”

Now Dutch Radical Solidarity demands “the acquittal of all political prisoners and to support the OPCW activists' demand for an independent investigation into Turkey's use of chemical weapons.

We invite everyone to solidarity during the week of action that will start on January 2 and end on 9 January 2022! In this way, we want to put pressure on the Dutch state and bring the pressure on Kurdish comrades to the attention of the public.”

As for how people can take action, Dutch Radical Solidarity says:

“- You can make a banner and hang it in your student room, squat or other visible place.

- You can organize a spontaneous action in your city or village.

- You can write letters to political prisoners.

- You can organize a demonstration or demonstration in front of relevant organizations such as OPCW, Turkish or Dutch embassies or consulates.

- Be bold and creative!

Submit your actions and photos to [email protected]. Let's make them reach the comrades and make them visible!”

The OPCW chooses to turn a blind eye to human rights abuses, which does not surprise us; OPCW is financed and supervised by NATO, of which Turkey is a part. But the Dutch state and the European Union should also ask themselves whether it is fair to support Turkey. The Netherlands and the European Union continue to cooperate with the fascist Turkish state due to their geopolitical relations. They use Turkey as a buffer zone. Turkey is stopping the flow of refugees to the EU, causing refugees to live in appalling conditions in camps. We will continue to oppose this!”