Roussopoulos calls for international delegation to investigate Turkey's use of chemical weapons

  • actual
  • 14:43 2 December 2021
  • |
img
NEWS CENTER - Political activist Dimitrios Roussopoulos calls for the formation of an international delegation to investigate the use of chemical weapons by the Turkish state.
 
Dimitrios Roussopoulos is a political activist, writer, editor, publisher and public speaker. He lives in Montréal. Since the late 1950s he has been actively involved in peace initiatives, ecology projects and cooperative movements. Since 2001 he has headed the Department of Local Democracy for the City of Montréal. He also takes part in world social forums and supports the establishment of an extra-parliamentary opposition in Canada. In this conversation with ANF, Roussopoulos commented on the silence of international institutions about the use of chemical weapons by the Turkish state.
 
Why is the United Nations (UN) silent despite evidence of the use of chemical weapons against the Kurds?
 
In fact, the UN is an organization of politicians from different countries who all act in the interests of their countries. The work on the use of chemical weapons and, above all, on their detection is extremely inadequate. There are very few reports of the use of chemical weapons, and the fact that independent sources are not working on them is a major problem.
 
Do you think that independent investigative delegations need to be sent to the region immediately, or do you recommend that evidence from the region be brought to the UN laboratories?
 
The OPCW works as an independent institution; it has around 5,000 employees and a budget of millions. It is a very serious problem that they have not yet carried out their own independent research to prove that chemical weapons are used, for example, by the Turkish army. Therefore, there is no up-to-date report from institutions like the OPCW or any institution in the European Union or the United Nations that shows whether or not chemical weapons are used. That is actually our biggest shortcoming at the moment.
 
Which measures can be taken internationally against the Turkish state?
 
A top international delegation should be organized. It should visit the regions we are talking about. After its return, the delegation has to report what it saw and what the people in the region said. This report must be sent to all relevant institutions. Something like this can only be achieved through public pressure. People should organize themselves with this in mind.
 
Would you want to take part in such a delegation?
 
I would definitely go. I would like to do that if the necessary conditions are in place, because I have been active in campaigns for nuclear disarmament for many years and I am very sensitive to these issues. I always want war crimes investigated.
 
In 2003, international powers invaded Iraq under the pretext of chemical weapons. Why don't these powers take even a small step against the Turkish state's use of chemical weapons?
 
The President of the EU Commission for Human Rights and Security says there is no evidence of the use of chemical weapons. He has recommended Turkey, Syria and Iraq, and also the Kurdish people, to hold talks on a peaceful solution. This clearly shows us how necessary it is to put what has happened in serious reports in order to be able to investigate the situation independently. This is the way to get international discussions going on this issue.

View More Articles

09/05/2022
14:00 8 Turkish soldiers lost their lives in Marînus, one soldier is missing
13:57 Military build-up continues on the border
11:51 Shengalî: KDP's special war policies are put in effect
11:02 Zap syndrome: Special sergeants started to desert their posts
10:55 People of Kûtos village displaced by Turkish soldiers
07/05/2022
16:46 YPG member who first reached Shengal in 2014: We saw thousands of peshmerga flee
16:44 Armed Conflict in Cudi disrupted the Zap plan
16:42 Şenyaşar family: Misgovernment is a disaster
13:47 Anna Campbell's family goes to ECtHR for Anna's body held in Afrin
11:34 Öcalan was given a 6-month ban on attorneys'visit again
10:26 Shehba and Afrin shelled by Turkey
06/05/2022
15:34 New application submitted by Öcalan's family and legal guardian
13:15 Şenyaşar family's sit-in continues on day 424
13:07 10 specialised sergeants demoralised due to Turkey's war across border, resigned
12:27 Yazidis return to Shengal despite KDP's interventions
12:26 TAJÊ: Women will not allow invasion
10:50 7 prisoners on hunger strike for 15 days in Kilis Prison
05/05/2022
19:18 Lawyer police battered in front of HDP Headquarters taken to hospital with a head trauma
17:03 Police provocation continues in front of HDP
16:10 Ferit Şenyaşar: A legal step was taken but the demands were not met
16:10 Police blockaded HDP Headquarters, threatened HDP MP
16:09 Rangers forced to take part in Turkey's attacks against Kurds says they are depressed
16:08 People of border city Uludere: Kurds must rise against betrayel
15:59 Lawyers of Öcalan submit new application for a meeting with their client
14:02 Emine Çağırga: Those who told my daughter was a terrorist are attacking Bashur today
14:01 Tevgera Azadî: War started with the conspiracy against Öcalan
09:25 Shengal plans of KDP fails
04/05/2022
15:47 PUK accuses KDP for fleeing Shengal: You fled, you left the people to the hands of ISIS gangs
15:46 Hunger strike in Islahiye Prison enters day 29
13:59 Brother of soldier killed in Turkish operation joins 'Life Watch' against war
13:58 Şenyaşar family welcoming guests for Ramadan holiday
13:57 Former peshmerga: Erdogan's only dream is to extend its borders to the Ottoman borders again
11:49 YBŞ: Iraq received orders for attacks from KDP and Turkey
11:47 Ciziten on sit-in protest for 5 years demanding freedom for Öcalan
11:45 Catalonian Parliament: Turkey's attacks must be stopped
11:41 Kobanê and Hesekê calls for reinforcement for Shengal
01/05/2022
19:22 Tens of thousands called from Ankara: Resistance will win
17:42 İstanbul May Day: Isolation protested, Gezi supported by masses
16:48 Ankara May 1 Celebrations with photos
15:50 May 1 in Diyarbakır: Betrayal and war will lose
15:35 May 1 in İzmir: Gündoğdu Square filled with workers
14:35 May 1 Celebrations in İstanbul: No to war and exploitation
13:25 Thousands march to May 1 celebration area
12:02 From Edirne to Kars: Workers and peoples flocking to May 1 celebrations
11:52 Workers flocking to May 1 Celebrations in Diyarbakır
11:25 Dozens marching to Taksim in İstanbul, detained
11:06 A wreath for May 1 placed in Taksim
30/04/2022
16:50 Historian Türkyılmaz: Erdoğan continues his 'loyal Kurd' policy with the KDP
14:45 Military activity in Gürpınar: Photo traps placed
14:11 Kurdish prisoner held in a solitary confinement by 'special' order of the Ministry