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The Dutch socialistic
party SP requested Dutch Minister Van Ardenne
(Development cooperation) to finance a medical
project for the Kurdish victims of the chemical
attack in Halabja. A health project of the KRG
[Kurdish Regional Government], Liverpool university
and several organizations is about to stop due to
the lack of money.
Second Chamber member Krista van Velzen said that
Holland has a special responsibility towards the
victims, because the chemical ingredients came from
the Dutch businessman, Frans van Anraat, who
recently was convicted for supplying Saddam’s regime
with chemicals used in the attacks on Halabja. “With
a moderate contribution we can keep this project
alive and show our commitment,” said the Dutch
politician, who contributed to Van Anraat’s arrest
and trial.
Victims of the Halabja attack have to face several
diseases because of the chemicals. A small British
project that was focused on battling birth defects
and infant deaths is about to stop due a lack of
money.
The attacks, which consisted of a cocktail of
chemical and biological nerve and mustard agents,
caused its victims DNA mutations, physical
malformations, cancer, paralysis, birth defects,
infant mortality, immediate and long-term
neuropsychiatric damage, etc.
This project was successful and gave help and
treatment to the victims.
The costs were about 100.000 euro a year. Infant
mortality, cancer and birth defects were treated and
taken care off, because of this project.
There was also scientific research into the cure for
birth diffects.
Van Velzen thought it would be a pity, that there
would come an end to this health care and scientific
research project, because of insufficient money
resources. “Health care in the Kurdish area is
problematic.
Therefore health care for the victims of the
chemical attacks isn’t sufficient. The Netherlands
could make a good gesture towards the Kurdish
people, by giving this support”
“The people of Kurdistan are still suffering because
of the chemical attacks. Holland is morally
obligated to contribute to medical research and
medical care for the victims. I urge everyone to
come to the memorial [Sunday Amsterdam] to show our
solidarity with the victims. Let’s condemn this
crime, what happened in Halabja, may never happen
again,” said Van Velzen.
Recently angry protesters in Halabja destroyed the
Halabja memorial museum. They asked for better
public health services. According to the protestors,
the Kurdish government isn’t doing enough to help
the residents of Halabja.
http://vladimirkurdistan.blogspot.com/
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