UNSC briefing/consultations on Syria (Chemical Weapons)

[Monday, 28 February 2022, 1000hrs/2030 hrs IST]

Mr. President, we would like to thank Under Secretary General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu for her update.

2. We have taken note of the contents of the last two reports by DG-OPCW submitted to this Council pursuant to Resolution 2118, as well as, reports of the OPCW Fact Finding Mission on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria in 2015 and 2016. We have also noted the two latest submissions made by Syrian Arab Republic detailing measures undertaken to implement its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

3. Further, we also note the Secretariat’s proposal for holding next round of inspections of facilities of the Barzah and Jamrayah facilities of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) and urge that these may be held at an early date. We encourage continued engagement between Syria and the OPCW Technical Secretariat to resolve the differences at the earliest.

Mr. President,

4. India’s position on issues related to Syria acceding to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is well known. It is our principled stand that CWC is a unique, non-discriminatory disarmament instrument for elimination of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. India attaches high importance to the CWC, and stands for its full, effective, and non-discriminatory implementation. We support the collective efforts by all the parties to ensure that the credibility and integrity of this Convention is maintained to the fullest.

5. India is against the use of chemical weapons by anybody, anywhere, at any time and under any circumstances. India has consistently maintained that any investigation into the use of chemical weapons must be impartial, credible and objective. Such an investigation should follow scrupulously the provisions and procedures embedded in the Convention, and in conformity with the delicate balance of power and responsibility enshrined under it, to establish facts and reach evidence-based conclusions.

Mr. President,

6. India has also been repeatedly cautioning against the possibility of terrorist entities and individuals gaining access to chemical weapons, including in the region. The reports of UNITAD have also referred to the repeated deployments of chemical weapons by UN proscribed terrorist groups and those affiliated to ISIL against civilian populations between 2014 and 2016. ISIL/Daesh remains active in Syria and Iraq, where the group is seeking to rebuild its capabilities. Therefore, allegations of the use of chemical weapons need to be dealt with utmost attention.

7. India continues to believe that progress on other tracks- political and humanitarian- would help with potential forward movement in respect of the political process in Syria as advocated by Resolution 2254.

I thank you.

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