Protesters in gas-masks took action at the South Korean embassy in London this morning as part of an international campaign to stop tear gas shipments to Turkey.
Actions were held simultaneously in London, South Korea and Turkey, with protests organised by Ban Tear Gas Initiative (Turkey), Campaign Against Arms Trade (UK), War Resisters’ International and World Without War (South Korea).
Over recent years, Turkey has repeatedly attacked protesters with riot control equipment and tear gas at demonstrations, firing it directly at demonstrators, and using it in confined spaces.
According to Tear Gas Initiative, at least 16 people were killed and thousands injured by tear gas between 2007-2014. However, despite serious human rights concerns, South Korea has authorised a huge shipment of nearly 1.65 million tear gas canisters and grenades to Turkey.
Anne Marie O’Reilly of Campaign Against Arms Trade said:
We are calling on South Korea, and other states, to stop selling tear gas and riot control equipment to Turkey.
The Turkish authorities have turned water cannons and tear gas on their own people, and any governments that are licensing these weapons to them are complicit in the repression that is taking place.
Countries like the UK and South Korea should be speaking out against the ongoing repression in Turkey and this shipment. Instead they continue to push arms sales instead of human rights
The licenses were issued throughout November and December of 2014, and the first batch shipment of tear gas shipment is believed to have been completed by the end of January. At this moment, the schedule for the rest of the consignment remains unknown.
Photos are available from the protests in South Korea, London and Istanbul.
ENDS
For further information please contact Andrew at media(at)caat·org·uk or call 020 7281 0297.
