One thousand complaints against nuclear weapons in Belgium

'Everyone is a Bombspotter' is a success

November 27, 2004 - Press release

On 27th November, hundreds of people across Belgium took part in the "Everyone is a Bombspotter" action, organised by Bomspotting and Forum voor Vredesactie.
From Bruges and Diksmuide to Liege, and from Antwerpen via Brussels to Mons, in more than 50 towns and villages across the whole of the country people visited their local police stations to make an official complaint against the presence of nuclear weapons in Belgium.

In Geel, the mayor Frans Peeters was the first to make the complaint. In Houthalen-Helchteren the police station was specially opened on Saturday to handle the complaints. In Gent, a group of 80 people made a loud and colourful procession through the city centre on their way to the police station. In Liege, member of the Provincial Council Murielle Frenay also made herself a 'Bombspotter'. Mayor Verfaille of Veurne, and Members of the Flemish Parliament Kris Van Dijck, Herman Lauwers, Bart Caron, Marc Demesmaeker, Jan Roegiers, Jan Peumans, Jos Bex, Jan Loones, also took part in the action, along with Members of the Federal Parliament Zoë Genot, Geert Lambert, Stijn Bex, Walter Muls, Koen 't Sijen and Senator Fauzaya Talhaoui. Local Councillors from Aalst, Borsbeek, Houthalen-Helchteren, Mol and District councillor Lauwers from Borgerhout, all made a complaint against the illegal nuclear weapons and the illegal nuclear weapon policy of Belgium and NATO.

It was the second time that a massive complaint has been made against the presence of nuclear weapons in the country. Over the past years, thousands of complaints have been made. The legal system has not reacted, and refuses to investigate these crimes. For this reason, the complaint also included a second part. Because the government has not put an end to its illegal nuclear weapon policy, we announce our intention to take responsibility as citizens to put an end to the crimes. We are all 'Bombspotters'. We would prefer to be responsible for preventing crimes against humanity than shut our eyes to this criminal policy.

In Leuven, the complaint was classified by the police as a report of a 'threat': 'the threat of nuclear weapons'. It is now up to the public prosecutor to take seriously the complaint made by so many people, and begin an official investigation.

With our backs against the wall
We are worried and angry. Nuclear weapons are the most destructive weapons ever developed, and again they have reached the top of the international political agenda. Mohammed El Baradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has repeatedly stated that the current situation is more dangerous than ever before. The United States is planning to develop smaller, more useable, nuclear weapons and faster nuclear missiles. Russia is developing new missiles to be able to defeat the "Star Wars" missile defence shield. Countries such as North-Korea and possibly Iran are developing nuclear weapons as a defence against US military intervention.. Israel, India and Pakistan continue to modernise their nuclear weapons.
The nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the treaty designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons, is hanging by a thread. The main cause of this is the refusal of the nuclear weapon states to fulfil their obligations under this treaty: total nuclear disarmament. Belgium must take its responsibility. The removal of all NATO nuclear weapons from Europe, and the denuclearisation of NATO nuclear strategy is a necessary first step towards building confidence and to put nuclear disarmament on the agenda.

Nuclear weapon policy: Illegal
The International Court of Justice in The Hague, the highest legal body in the world, declared on 8th July 1996 that 'the threat or use of nuclear weapons is generally contrary to the principles of international law'. As such, the defence policy of NATO and Belgium is a criminal policy. The discussion over nuclear weapons is not only a political one, but also legal. Our complaint is an appeal to the legal system to keep the government in line with international law.

Prevention of War Crimes
Our government refuses to stop these crimes. Therefore, we find ourselves in a legal emergency. Everyone that know that war crimes are being prepared has a duty to take action to prevent them. Neither orders from superiors, nor national laws form a justification for not doing so. It appears in black and white in the Nuremberg Principles.
Motivated by the Nuremberg Principles, it is impossible to do anything other than make an official complaint against the presence of nuclear weapons in Belgium, and stress the criminal behaviour of everyone who supports the NATO strategy in which nuclear weapons play an important part.
We declare that we will ourselves take steps to prevent these crimes, or support those who do so. We are all 'Bombspotters'. We are all responsible for the prevention of war crimes.

The Bombspotting campaign continues
A regular intervals, unannounced "Bombspotting Small" actions will take place. These non-violent acts of civil disobedience attempt to stop the preparations for war crimes where they are being carried out.
On 16th April, directly before the NPT Review Conference, the "Bombspotting XL" action will take place. At all the sites in Belgium that are related to the illegal nuclear weapon policy (Kleine Brogel Airforce Base, the NATO headquarters in Brussels, and SHAPE (NATO military hq) in Mons, mass non-violent direct action will be used to stop the preparations for war crimes.