Christian democratic MP Coskun Çörüz wants parliament to ban the use of the stimulant qat, the leaves of a plant which grows in the Horn of Africa.
The use of qat, mainly popular among Somalian migrants, has been banned in all European countries except for the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
“Chewing the leaves is allowed, but the drug they contain is banned, that is absurd,” Mr Çörüz said. He is also opposed to a policy of tolerance, because “Something that’s forbidden by law is not legal. We should not go down the same road we took with cannabis.”
The MP is arguing for a total ban of both the plant and its active ingredient, also, according to Mr Çörüz, because the profits from the qat trade end up in the pockets of terrorist organisations.
From Kenya the qat is shipped to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and on to the town of Uithoorn, from where it’s distributed across Europe. Mr Çörüz says the trade involves “stabbings with machetes and a great deal of other unpleasantness,” which he argues causes problems for entrepreneurs.
Mr Çörüz expects his propoal to ban qat will be supported by the Freedom Party, the conservative VVD, the orthodox SGP and the Christian Union.
(gsh)
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
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(Re-posted with the name, as the previous post by mistake had the anonymous identity).
This "Mr Çörüz", who does he exactly represent? We know that he was chosen by the system to "represent" the Turkish community after expelsion of the real candidates of the Turkish community from the election by the same system. This certain "Mr Çörüz" has been placed high enough in the list and got elected (with comically low preferential votes).
Now, why focus on some marginal issue? Does he want to be a new Hırsi Ali? Focusing on marginal but sensitive issues and scoring high points in popularity? Certainly seeking the help of Wilder's PVV, populist VVD and christian fundementalists SGP, he is on the right boat.
Well done "Mr Çörüz". But as a member of Dutch Turkish minority, where is my true representative? Maybe the deep state will assure election of a more convincing representative next time.
What a tragedy for a democracy.
This "Mr Çörüz", who does he exactly represent? We know that he was chosen by the system to "represent" the Turkish community after expelsion of the real candidates of the Turkish community from the election by the same system. This certain "Mr Çörüz" has been placed high enough in the list and got elected (with comically low preferential votes).
Now, why focus on some marginal issue? Does he want to be a new Hırsi Ali? Focusing on marginal but sensitive issues and scoring high points in popularity? Certainly seeking the help of Wilder's PVV, populist VVD and christian fundementalists SGP, he is on the right boat.
Well done "Mr Çörüz". But as a member of Dutch Turkish minority, where is my true representative? Maybe the deep state will assure election of a more convincing representative next time.
What a tragedy for a democracy.