Voting rights restored to Syria in OPCW

Syria's voting rights in the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were reinstated today after being suspended last year due to accusations of using chemical weapons during years of civil war.

It is worth noting that the decision was reached in view of a “significant change in circumstances” after the fall of the Ba'athist regime. It has been revealed that the interim government is fully committed to complying with the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The organization confirmed that the interim government has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the international community to eliminate the remnants of the chemical weapons program inherited from the Ba'athist regime and to reduce the risks associated with the proliferation of such materials.

Previous United Nations investigations and reports issued by the OPCW concluded that forces of the Ba'athist regime had used sarin and chlorine gas in attacks during the conflict. Those allegations were repeatedly denied by the former regime and by Russia.

The OPCW Executive Council stressed that it will continue to monitor Syria's progress on the chemical weapons file and will take the necessary measures to ensure the elimination of any remaining stockpiles or materials associated with the former chemical weapons program.

ANHA