Third Report of the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria

NOTE BY THE TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT

THIRD REPORT OF THE OPCW FACT-FINDING MISSION IN SYRIA

1. On 29 April 2014, the Director-General announced the creation of an OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria (hereinafter “the Mission”). The Mission was mandated to establish the facts surrounding allegations of the use of toxic chemicals, reportedly chlorine, for hostile purposes in the Syrian Arab Republic.

2. The Mission submitted its summary report covering the period from 3 to 31 May 2014 on 16 June 2014 (S/1191/2014, dated 16 June 2014) and its second report on 10 September 2014 (S/1212/2014, dated 10 September 2014). Both reports were circulated to the States Parties.

3. The third report of the Mission is hereby circulated to the States Parties. This report provides a more detailed account of the work undertaken by the Mission in the second phase and the process leading to the findings presented in its second report regarding the use of chlorine for hostile purposes. The Mission has presented its conclusions with a high degree of confidence that chlorine has been used as a weapon. The work of the Mission has remained consistent with its mandate, which did not include the question of attributing responsibility for the alleged use. Based on the available information, the Mission has completed its work with regard to the allegations of the use of chlorine in the villages of Talmenes, Al Tamanah, and Kafr Zita.

4. The Director-General should also like to advise the States Parties that the Syrian Arab Republic, through a letter dated 15 December 2014, has informed him that some documents providing information on the allegations of use of chlorine in the Syrian Arab Republic would be delivered soon. Once these documents are received, they will be examined by the Mission and the outcome of the examination will be circulated to the States Parties. Annexes:

Annex 1: Cover Note by the Head of the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria

Annex 2: Third Report of the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria