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Belgium: Policing and National Security

01 January 1991

Belgium: Policing and National Security
artdoc July=1994

Turkey demands PKK ban

Following violent scenes in Brussels after a demonstration in
support of Kurdistan, Turkey has renewed demands for the Belgian
government to outlaw the PKK. After clashes between Turks and
Kurds, the police arrested more than 50 youths. Eleven people
were injured. According to Solidaire, the violence at the
demonstration was inspired by the Turkish neo-fascist group, the
`Grey Wolves'. On the night before the demonstration, Grey Wolves
supporters attacked a house where 150 Kurdish intellectuals were
lodged, forcing them to flee. The Turkish youth then went on to
attack Kurdish businesses, shouting `Long live greater Turkey,
down with the PKK', allege Solidaire. Radio reports blamed the
violence on the Kurds, quoting representatives of the Turkish
consulate. Meanwhile, in Ankara, the foreign ministry summoned
the Belgian charges d'Affaires to answer questions on the
violence. `The Belgian authorities have prepared the ground for
the occurrence of such incidents ... by not following the
decision of France and Germany to ban the PKK,' said the Turkish
foreign ministry in a prepared statement (Independent 4.1.94,
Solidaire 5.1.94).

Armed police operations in Brussels immigrant quarter

On 21 January, armed police swooped on the immigrant quarter of
Brussels, blocking off roads and allegedly smashing their way
into homes, even using explosives. According to Solidaire, the
police transformed the area between Schaerbeek and Saint-Josse-
Ten-Node into 'occupied territory'. Le Soir says the police
operation was to 'stamp out drugs and arms dealing'. Apparently,
nothing was found and no-one was charged (Solidaire 26.1.94).

IRR European Race Audit, Bulletin no 8, May 1994. Contact:Liz
Fekete, Insitute of Race Relations, 2-6 Leeke Street, London WC1X
9HS. Tel: 071 837 0041