Against the criminalisation of political activism in Europe
On Tuesday, 12 december 2006, an association of citizens in Antwerpen, Belgium, called "Trekt Uw Plant", installed the first cannabis plantation that was planned to operate within the framework of national drug policy.
According to Belgian federal drug policy, the possession of max. 3 grammes of cannabis and one female plant is not considered a criminal offence. It can be registered by police, but is not followed up by legal sanctions. This is according to the current practice in the major part of the European Unión.
The presentation of the plantation took place in the Botanical Garden of the city of Antwerpen, with the permission of local authorities, including the police. The definitive location of the plantation would remain a secret for the public, though the association would inform the authorities so the necessary control could be implemented in a relaxed atmosphere.
Under massive presence of national and international media, 6 members of Trekt Uw Plant (Draw Up Your Plant) among whom Stijn Bex, member of the federal parliament in Belgium for Spirit (a party that belongs to the government coalition), took each their clone of the motherplant. The seed of this motherplant had been planted on 27 july, also in the Botanical garden, in presence of the media and the police.
After the presentation, a letter was given to the Lord Mayor of Antwerpen which revealed the address of the plantation, and contained the keys of the door. But during the transport of the plantation, without the presence of the media, the police intervened and arrested four members of the association.
The 6 cannabis plants were confiscated, and the four people (one of who is the coordinator of ENCOD, European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies) were arrested. During 4 hours, they were interrogated on the accusation of being involved in the production of drugs. Their houses were searched, their mobile phones and personal agendas were confiscated.
Furthermore the computer, financial administration and other documents of the association ENCOD were confiscated. These goods are of crucial importance to the functioning of the secretariat of ENCOD, of which Trekt Uw Plant is a member.
There is no evidence that Belgian police will return these goods soon. This means that for the moment, ENCODs co-ordination is seriously limited.
- www.cannabis-clubs.eu
ENCOD is a Coalition of 150 Civil Society Organisations from 24 European countries, which is lobbying for a crucial change in international drug policy. The group is lobbying for an open debate in order to reform current drug legislation, which is based on a UN Convention from 1961.
ENCOD (www.encod.org) maintains that the major harm related to drugs is caused by the fact that they are illegal. Its activities are aimed to propose concrete measures to reduce the role of organised crime and improve the public health and safety of involved citizens, consumers and non-consumers.
Also the initiative of Trekt Uw Plant (www.hardcoreharmreducer.be) was aimed at this objective. By criminalising it, the Belgian authorities have created the first case in which "drugs dealers" would have informed the police and its head, the Antwerp Lord Mayor, of their intentions, giving them a detailed description of their plans.
The initiative is a concrete expression of ENCODs "Freedom to Farm" campaign, which is advocating for the depenalisation of the three plants that are forbidden in the UN Convention of 1961: coca, cannabis and opium poppy.
Similar initiatives which have been denominated Cannabis Social Clubs(www.cannabis-clubs.eu) are currently taking place in Europe. Legal authorities in Bilbao, Spain (website of Pannagh) have accepted this model by acquitting the association of cannabis consumers and producers Pannagh in a courtcase implemented against them earlier this year.
The legal status of the cultivation of cannabis for personal use remains oneof the weak issues of international drug prohibtion. In practice, this is tolerated, but officially it remains an illegal practice. Prohibition of cannabis causes legal insecurity for cannabis consumers (estimated between 10 and 30 million EU citizens), as well as corruption and arbitrariety on behalf of legal authorities.
By organising an association of cannabis cultivators, who operate withing the margin of tolerance created by pragmatic politicians in order to avoid making an end to end of cannabis prohibition, the Cannabis Social Clubs are offering a simple solution to create a transparent system of cannabis cultivation which allows control by health and legal authorities.
ENCOD urges the Belgian authorities to return the confiscated goods as soon as possible, in order to allow ENCOD to continue its activities. Legal requirements should not be misused to silence political activism which is operating in a legitimate and peaceful way.
ENCOD members and supportersENCOD:
