NGOs protest new Flemish arms law in Antwerp, call it 'absurd'

Five Belgian civil society organizations protested in Antwerp on Monday against a new Flemish arms law, fearing it will loosen regulations on arms exports. The organizations, including 11.11.11, Intal, Pax Christi Vlaanderen, Vredesactie, and Vrede vzw, used a video truck to broadcast a satirical advertisement criticizing the proposed changes.

The Flemish Parliament is currently discussing the decree, which aims to make arms exports for Flemish companies smoother and more flexible. The NGOs chose Antwerp as the location for their protest due to the significant role the city's port plays in the shipment of weapons. "We have recently been able to stop shipments to Israel from Antwerp," said Orry Van de Wauwer, director of Pax Christi Vlaanderen, emphasizing that this should be the government's responsibility.

Protesters are concerned that the new law will create ambiguity about the final destinations of exported weapons. "Today, we already don't know where one in three weapon components end up," Van de Wauwer stated. "When more money goes to defense and more weapons are exported, it is important that we strengthen controls, not relax them." The video displayed by the truck linked images of Flemish arms exports with footage from conflict zones, accompanied by slogans like "Human rights? For losers."

The organizations aim to shock and awaken the public and politicians, urging Flemish parliament members to amend the text. "It is absurd that they want to relax the rules while we already have insufficient insight into where some weapons end up," Van de Wauwer added. They hope to ensure that Flanders continues to meet its international obligations regarding arms control.