No matter how long it takes, the perpetrators must be held to account for the use of chemical weapons in Syria: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Jess Jambert-Gray, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on chemical weapons in Syria.
To note, the UK will continue to defend the rights of competent civil society to participate in this council enshrined in rule 39.
In the last week, we have seen a significant escalation of violence spreading across northwest Syria.
The UK repeats its call for de-escalation, for the protection of civilians and for the provision of humanitarian aid. We underscore the need for a Syrian-led political solution, and renewed negotiations. We call on all parties to respect international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Any use of chemical weapons is unacceptable.
Colleagues, the 30th of November marked the International Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare. Let us take a moment to recall the appalling human cost of the previous chemical weapon attacks in Syria.
The Assad regime’s sarin nerve attack in Ghouta in 2013 killed over 1,400 civilians – including hundreds of women and children. When the attack came in the small hours of the morning, families fled to their basements to seek safety. The sarin gas, however was heavier than air, sank down, trapping and killing them indiscriminately.
Facing international condemnation, Syria became a Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention that year. But the attacks continued – sarin in April 2017, chlorine gas in Douma in 2018 and many more.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic has found that Syria has used chemical weapons on no fewer than 38 occasions since 2013.
The Assad regime has shown us, repeatedly, that it is willing to use chemical weapons against Syrian families in their homes. Independent, international investigations have confirmed it.
Under Assad, Syria ignores its obligation under the Chemical Weapons Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 2118 to cooperate fully with the OPCW. Syria continues to hide its chemical weapons programme. Thousands of munitions and hundreds of tonnes of chemical agent remained unaccounted for.
We are therefore concerned that the Russians seem to be able to predict the future and tell us that any reports of future chemical weapons use in northwest Syria are untrue.
At a time when tensions remain high in the Middle East, Syria’s undeclared chemical weapons are an unacceptable risk. It is past time for the regime to comply with its obligations under Security Council Resolution 2118, cooperate with the OPCW Technical Secretariat and fully declare its chemical weapons programme. Only then can we consign Syrian chemical weapons to history.
There is no ‘time out’ on use of chemical weapons. The international community will not forget. Perpetrators must be held to account, no matter how long it takes.