Senior Representative Izumi Nakamitsu said: “Any use of chemical weapons is unacceptable and the lack of accountability for past use of such weapons remains open to question. affect the conscience of the international community.
Update OPCW
She updated the Ambassadors on the Office of Disarmament (ODA) activities with its partners at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (ODA).OPCW), including a recurring monthly call with General Manager Fernando Arias.
Despite the travel restrictions triggered by COVID-19 epidemic, OPCW The Technical Secretariat has continued authorized activities on the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons.
Meanwhile, the OPCW Statement Review Team (DAT) is persevering with its unremitting efforts to clarify outstanding issues regarding the Syrian claims submitted under Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
“I have been informed that the OPCW Secretariat has yet to receive the requested statement… regarding all undeclared types and quantities of nerve agents produced and/or weaponized at an establishment The former chemical weapons production facility… was declared by the Syrian Arab Republic to have never been used to produce and/or weaponize chemical warfare agents,” she said.
She also received no information from Syria about the illegal movement and remains of two gas cylinders destroyed in connection with the chemical weapons incident in Douma on 7 April 2018, she continued to appeal to the Government. government responds to these requests “as soon as possible”.
Ms. Nakamitsu told the Ambassadors that For almost 10 months, the OPCW has been trying to schedule talks in Damascus, however, Syria’s “continued refusal” to issue a visa to one member has prevented discussions there..
Unresolved issues
Due to identified gaps, inconsistencies and unresolved differences, the OPCW at this stage is unable to evaluate the statement submitted by Syria and cannot consider it to be accurate and complete according to the CWC .
“I reiterate my appeal to the Government…to facilitate the arrangement of DAT implementation as soon as possible…only through complete cooperation…with the OPCW Technical Secretariat will all outstanding issues related to the original declaration of the Syrian Arab Republic can be resolved. “, Ms. Nakamitsu affirmed.
“The international community’s confidence in the complete elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons program depends on these issues being resolved.”
The quest to find out the truth
The OPCW Truth Seeker Mission (FFM) continues to analyze all available information regarding the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria and is preparing for upcoming deployments, subject to evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the FFM report, there are reasonable grounds to believe that on September 1, 2015, a blistering chemical was used. However, whether the chemical was used as a weapon remains unknown.
In a separate report on the incident at Kafr Zeita on 1 October 2016, the FFM concluded that there was “reasonable grounds” to believe that a chlorine cylinder was indeed “used as a weapon”.
Copies of both FFM reports were shared with the Council earlier this month.
Meanwhile, the Investigations and Identification Team (IIT) continues to investigate incidents in which the FFM determined that chemical weapons were or may have been used in Syria and will issue follow-up reports in the future. suitable time.
Only through solidarity and shared humanity can we alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people – Head of the United Nations Disarmament Committee
‘Full support’ for OPCW
With primary responsibility for international peace and security, “unity in Security Council continues to be necessary,” said the UN’s head of disarmament, adding that those identified as responsible for the use of chemical weapons should be held accountable.
She reminded, calling on members to “put aside” their differences and focus their efforts on reaching a political solution that includes essential freedoms and human rights, while at the same time blaming those who chemical weapons users.
“Only through solidarity and human sharing can we alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people and move towards justice, peace and reconciliation.”
