'Chemical weapon' demonstration in The Hague results in detentions, injuries

Photo: MA/File

Police arrested 12 people during a demonstration in The Hague on Monday (October 1). Several hundred people protested against Türkiye's alleged use of chemical weapons. Various people suffered head, arm, or leg injuries during the police action. Twelve people were arrested for public violence or violence against the police.

On October 18, the Fırat News Agency (ANF) released a video clip of two Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) members allegedly exposed to chemical weapons. The clip showed a man having a seizure and a woman showing delirious behavior. Both people eventually died because of the exposure, according to the PKK.

However, a resurfaced statement of the PKK from August says one of the two people in the video in question, codenamed "Baz Mordem," died because of a disease.

ANF further cited a statement that Türkiye used at least 2,476 chemical weapons on the PKK in Iraq's Kurdistan Region in six months during its military operations. Türkiye's government dismissed the allegations.

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The organizers of the protest demanded that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), based in The Hague, investigate the possible use of chemical weapons by the Türkiye's army.

The protesters marched through the city center of The Hague and protested on the Malieveld, a large open field often used for demonstrations. Some protesters wore white protective suits and banners called on the OPCW to "break the silence" and investigate.

"Everything has been done to send an independent commission of inquiry to Southern Kurdistan, but nothing has happened so far," said Hüseyin Yıldız, one of the organizers of the demonstration."We want the OPCW to investigate the attacks. And for countries to request an investigation. NATO and EU member states can do that, but so far, that has not happened."

The demonstration escalated when some demonstrators moved towards Türkiye's embassy close to the Malieveld. According to the police, the intervention was necessary as dozens moved toward the embassy. The ME, police units deployed in large-scale operations to maintain public order, was present with horses, dog brigades, and a water cannon borrowed from Belgium. They made several charges to divide the group of demonstrators. (WM/VK)