Chemical weapons in Syria: towards OPCW sanctions against the regime?

The OPCW, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, investigated on the spot in Syria.

Here in Douma, in Eastern Ghouta.

REUTERS / Ali Hashisho

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The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is due to vote this week for or against sanctions against Syria.

In question, there is an investigation into the use of sarin and chlorine gas by the diet.

At the same time, four NGOs lodged a complaint in Sweden against President Bashar al-Assad and several senior officials for two chemical attacks.

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These are new steps in the long journey to force the international community to take concrete action against the Syrian regime.

Two complaints had already been filed in France and Germany by these same organizations of Syrian activists in exile.

The strategy is to step up steps to push the international community to react, as explained by Mazen Darwich, director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression.

►Also read

: Chemical weapons: to better understand the OPCW and its mission in Syria

“ 

For 10 years and especially after the first chemical weapons attack in 2013, there have been a lot of declarations and goodwill, but today we believe that it is possible to take real action.

With the help of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, we are giving governments and national courts the keys to taking concrete action and not sticking to fine words,

 ”he said.

Mazen Darwich and his collaborators know that the United Nations Security Council will never vote on sanctions against the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

Even if the OPCW recommends it, Russia will impose its veto as it has already done previously.

But simply exposing the situation to the UN General Assembly could push other countries to act individually.

A long fight that the activists in exile are ready to lead to offer justice to the victims of chemical attacks.

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  • Syria

  • Bashar al-Assad

  • OPCW

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