The UN Must Conduct a Comprehensive Investigation into the Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria

Media Statement

Syrian Coalition

Istanbul, Turkey

August 09, 2013

The Syrian Coalition welcomes news that Dr. Åke Sellström, head of the UN’s fact-finding mission to investigate the use of chemical weapons in Syria, and his team are completing preparations before their upcoming deployment to Syria.

The Syrian Coalition is firmly committed to supporting all efforts by the United Nations to investigate the use of chemical weapons in Syria. We are, however, concerned that the upcoming mission will be limited to its work to only three sites and that the mission’s members will not visit all areas in Syria where there is reason to believe that chemical weapons have been used.

As the UN finalizes the modalities for its mission we would like to urge the Secretary-General to ensure that the mission adopts a comprehensive approach in its investigation of alleged chemical weapons use.

“If the scope of the mission is restricted to only three sites, the Coalition is worried that an important opportunity will be missed to establish authoritatively the extent to which chemical weapons have been used” stated Dr. Najib Ghadbian, Special Representative of the Syrian Coalition to the UN. “There is an urgent need for the UN to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all credible allegations of chemical weapons uses.”

The Syrian Coalition urges the UN to include all sites where there is reasonable suspicion that chemical weapons have been used, including the latest incidents in Adra and Douma in the suburbs of Damascus, as well as in Yarmouk refugee camp.

The Syrian Coalition remains committed to upholding international humanitarian and international human rights laws and demands that any individuals found to be guilty of having used chemical weapons in Syria be held accountable for these crimes.

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.