Use of Chemical Weapons in West Asia a Serious Challenge for International Community: Amb Bhaswati Mukherjee

September 12, 2013

New Delhi: The use of chemical weapons in regional conflicts of West Asia has presented a serious challenge for the international community as well as for the organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), reflected Ambassador Bhaswati Mukherjee, former Permanent Representative of India to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). She was delivering a lecture on ‘Emerging Challenges to Chemical Weapons Regime’ organised by The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) and the Indian Pugwash Society, on September 12, 2013.

Ms Mukherjee said that the Russian President Putin’s proposal aimed at taking diplomatic path could help solve the issue through negotiations and OPCW verified destruction of chemical weapons facilities would validate OPCW’s commitment to disarmament global peace. She mentioned that in the present scenario, Russian proposal appears to be the best way forward.

She underlined that role of Syrian government’s role is crucial in facilitating the OPCW inspections in Syria. She emphasized that without the Syrian government guaranteeing the safety of inspectors, carrying out inspection in Syria would be difficult.

In the light of current situation unfolding in Syria, she emphasized that, it is important to bear in mind that Syria has never signed and ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The OPCW therefore has no legal mandate to intervene in Syria. However, she stated that, Syria is required to adhere to the UNSCR 1540, which required states parties to safeguard their WMD stockpiles from falling in the hands of non-state actors.

After the alleged use of chemical weapon in March 2013, the several CWC member countries had strongly asked for convening the council meeting and give directions for investigating the allegations. The OPCW council expressed deep concerns that chemical weapons may have been used in Syria. It also underlined that the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances would be repressible and contrary to the legal norms and standards of the international community and supported investigation into the matter and called all the parties involved to cooperate fully.

Ms Mukherjee concluded her remarks by stating that, Indian government has welcomed the progress that has been made by the OPCW and extended support to a proposal on international conference on Syria.