Apartheid Free Zones

Apartheid Free Zone is a global BDS campaign to mobilise businesses and communities to support boycotts and sanctions imposed by the Palestinian-led BDS movement. Hundreds of places across Europe have declared themselves Apartheid Free Zones. In Finland, the campaign is organised by Sumud – The Finnish Palestine Network’s BDS Finland working group.

The Apartheid Free Zone (AFZ) is a space that supports the Palestinian struggle for freedom and human rights. The Apartheid Free Zone participates in targeted boycotts – including cultural and academic boycotts – imposed by the BDS movement and will continue to do so until Israel complies with international law and human rights principles. An Apartheid Free Zone also commits to promoting antiracism and equality.

You can identify Apartheid Free Zones from the above sticker.

How can your business or other space become an Apartheid Free Zone?

Any company, community or space can become an Apartheid Free Zone (AFZ). An Apartheid Free Zone will publicly declare its involvement in the campaign and actively seek ways to cut off cooperation with those who support the apartheid regime in Israel. For example, a shop, café, library, university, museum, art gallery, event, concert venue, association, community space or public administration space can declare itself an Apartheid Free Zone.

An Apartheid Free Zone commits to

1. the principles of the global BDS movement and targeted boycotts
2. the cultural and academic boycott of Israel as defined by the BDS movement
3. to act in an anti-racist manner.

Additionally, the Apartheid Free Zone

1. publicly declares itself an Apartheid Free Zone
2. displays a sticker stating that it is an Apartheid Free Zone
3. is added to the list of Apartheid Free Zones in Finland (name and city)
4. is added to the global list of Apartheid Free Zones (name and city).