Turkish Parliament approves police tear gas use with 'health measures'

Parliament has given the green light for police to use tear gas as long as they take certain precautions, a move that comes following strong criticism of officers’ use of the substance at recent protests.

Prepared by the Parliament Research Center, the March 2011 report on tear gas suggested the use of "less harmful pepper spray," as practiced in some European countries.

The report was released ahead of the May 1 Labor Day celebrations and shortly after a string of protests during which alleged police brutality was criticized by the public and the media.

The issue was brought to Parliament’s agenda after Republican People’s Party, or CHP, Istanbul deputy Çetin Sosyal was affected by tear gas during a protest by workers from the country’s formerly state-owned alcohol and tobacco monopoly, or Tekel.

Excessive use of tear gas by police, and gas bombs landing in hospitals and school yards, was also criticized by Parliament.

Police are most likely to use tear gas at protests by students and labor workers in Ankara and Istanbul and at demonstrations in East and Southeast Turkey.

The report highlighted regulations that are enforced in Western countries to prevent excessive and unwarranted uses of tear gas on citizens, also citing other reports from the United States and Europe detailing deaths related to tear gas.

The Parliament report concluded that tear gas must be used "as safely as possible," with "health measures" taken by police. It also included details on how other European countries use tear gas, which it suggested as examples for Turkey.


The Turkish Parliament’s report detailed the components and effects of pepper spray and tear gas, listing countries where the substances are in use, along with suggestions for solutions and alternatives.

German citizens can legally use pepper spray for "protection against animals." It is illegal for private use during protests, but can be used by police after a verbal warning is issued. In June 2010, a German citizen of Turkish origin died after police used tear gas, according to the report.

In Denmark, the possession of pepper spray is illegal for citizens. Tear gas was added to standard police equipment in 2008, but officers are responsible for ensuring that people on whom it is used receive medical attention and treatment.

Police forces in the Netherlands are also responsible for the outcome of using tear gas, and are required to carry moist tissues and a liquid to wash out victims’ eyes.

Tear gas has been used by French police since 1960, but can only be employed with permission from the governor.

In Sweden, possession of pepper spray is required for police officers, and it is considered a close contact weapon to be used when no other alternatives remain. Officers are encouraged to consider the pain its use would inflict on an individual.

In Turkey, tear gas is legal for police to use with no stipulations.

Capsaicin, found in chili peppers, is the primary ingredient in pepper spray, and can potentially harm the health of individuals. Pepper spray is an inflammatory, causing immediate closing of the eyes, difficulty breathing, a runny nose and coughing.

Tear gas causes negative effects to the skin, eyes and respiratory system, while causing pain, irritation and leading to temporary blindness. It poses a potential death risk for people with existing health conditions such as asthma. Other effects of tear gas include chronic gastritis and damage to the liver, kidney and cornea.


/Hurriyet Daily News/