Foto’s : Mai 2007 – European Parliament

Els wrote dozens of books for children and adults since the 1970s. She was also known for her strong social engagement.
In a 2023 interview, Els said that imagination is at the core of humanity: “If we lose our creativity, we also lose the talent for problem-solving.”
Her book „The Year of the Good Child,“ which she co-wrote with Russian dissident writer Eduard Uspensky after meeting him in 1984, was initially labeled hostile to the state in Russia, but due to the changes under Gorbachev (perestroika), she later received the Russian Arkady Gaidar Prize. The book has sold over a million copies and has also been adapted into a film. Many of her books are set in the Balkans. Her novel „Tuig“ (Mask) is about the Bosnian Civil War. She received awards for it in England and Switzerland, among other countries.
Her work often focused on injustice, whether it concerned the former Yugoslavia, Northern Ireland, or the position of minorities in Europe. Besides her writing, Els was active in politics. As a Member of the European Parliament (2004 tot 2009) for the Greens/European Free Alliance, she championed the rights of Sinti and Roma. Her social engagement was a common thread throughout her work, commitment and performances.
While being member at the European Parliament ICBUW members came into contact with Els. Her hard work and dedication were her hallmarks. When we presented her with the issue of depleted uranium weapons and our campaigning efforts to ban them, Els immediately took action.

Under the title „The Human Cost of Uranium Weapons in May 2007 the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament organised a conference and a photo-exhibition in close cooperation with ICBUW, Els was the initiator. In one of the main exposition rooms Members of European Parliament, visitors and press could have a look at the work of the Japanese photographer Naomi Toyoda, who exhibited his pictures from victims in Iraq, citizens and non-citizens. Next to the exhibition she organised a conference in the EP and invited several experts and DU victims who were ready to testify.

In the European Parliament she continued to raise attention for the issue of depleted uranium weapons and has consistently expressed concerns about the potential health and environmental impacts of its use. Thanks to her intense lobby work, the EP adopted on May 22, 2008, a resolution expressing serious concerns about the radiological and chemical toxicity of depleted uranium munitions. The resolution urged EU Member States to adhere to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/62/30, which highlights health concerns regarding the use of such weapons. Additionally, the European Parliament called for a moratorium on the use of depleted uranium weapons and advocated for efforts toward a global ban.

This resolution was of importance for ICBUW’s further lobby activities. During some of our lobby activities at UN in New York, Els joined us and participated in several events. Thanks to her we got access to NATO officials in 2009 for lobby activities.  There is so much more to mention, how she played an important role in many fields, all based on respect for human rights, truth and honesty and concern for the victims.
Els de Groen meant so much for the campaign to ban DU weapons and for all of us who strive to ban these chemical toxic and radioactive weapons.
We will never forget what she meant and will continue to mean to ICBUW.

Ria Verjauw – ICBUW co-chair