UN Security Council Should Impose Measures under Chapter VII over Non-compliance by the Assad Regime

Press Release

Syrian Coalition

Istanbul, Turkey

February 5, 2014

The Assad regime has proven, once again, it is unwilling to meet its international obligations. The regime has brazenly missed a series of deadlines for the removal of its most toxic chemical agents, which it was forced to eliminate after carrying out the worst chemical weapons attack in decades in Ghouta on August 21, 2013. Only 4% of the chemicals have been removed thus far.

UNSC Resolution No. 2118 clearly “decided that the Syrian Arab Republic shall comply with all aspects of the decision of the OPCW Executive Council of 27 September 2013,” which sets out a plan in its Thirty-Fourth Meeting, on November 5th and 15th, 2013; “for all other chemicals declared by the Syrian Arab Republic: removal from the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic no later than February 5th, 2014.”

The UNSC further states that it “decides in the event of non-compliance with this resolution, including unauthorized transfer of chemical weapons...to impose measures under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.”

The international community should realize that the Assad regime is not a credible partner, and that Assad will continue to drag his feet over the chemical weapons destruction program causing more delay in a last-ditch pathetic attempt to gain more international legitimacy and recognition.

The Syrian Coalition urges the UN Security Council to impose measures under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter as it would send a strong message to the Assad regime that the international community is willing to carry out the harshest measures if the chemical weapons are not eliminated by the deadline.

We ask for Mercy for our martyrs, health for our wounded, and freedom for our detainees.

Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.