Ypres has developed a Peace Charter for events in the city. This should ensure that the peace message and anti-discrimination rules of the city of Ypres are observed. The organizers of the vigil have signed that charter without any additional conditions. The event can therefore continue on August 27. Emmily Talpe, mayor: “The city council once again emphasizes its displeasure that Dries Van Langenhove is invited as a guest speaker in a city like Ypres, the city of peace par excellence. As already communicated, his arrival cannot legally be refused. Our city does emphasize the essential condition of signing and adhering to the peace charter. In the meantime, we received confirmation via a letter from the lawyer of the organization that the peace charter has been signed without reservation and that no condition is granted. In this way, our condition is met and the permit remains van IJzerwake. The peace charter explicitly states that racism, discrimination or hate speech has no place in our city.”
Check
As in previous years, in the run-up to and during the Yser Vigil, compliance with all regulations will be checked, in close consultation with the Arro Ieper police zone. The Yser Vigil has passed without incident in recent years. “We hope that this will also be the case this year. I am already calling for the weekend of IJzerwake to proceed in all serenity.”
Egwin Six, vzw IJzerwake: “Last week, the non-profit association sent an additional comment to the city of Ypres through its lawyer, stating once again that the charter was signed on June 16 with a comment to exempt constitutional rights. The city of Ypres took the legal arguments and objections communicated by the Yser Vigil to heart and allowed them to weigh in instead of continuing the political jousting. This is hopeful for the restoration of cooperation, as it should be in a democracy.”
With regard to the camaraderie evening, the situation remains unchanged: no permit will be granted. There is insufficient completeness and clarity regarding the event, says the city. The charter was also not signed. The organization of the IJzerwake did go to the Council of State against that ban on the Comradeship evening. He will make a decision on Friday. Emmily Talpe, mayor: “We were informed of the move from the organization to the Council of State. We can now do nothing but wait.”