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."
