Canada concerned by conclusive findings of use of chemical weapons in Syria

Statement

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August 31, 2016 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the report of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) attributing responsibility for chemical weapons attacks in Syria:

“The Government of Canada is deeply concerned by the findings of the JIM. This serious, independent and neutral investigation clearly demonstrates that the Government of Syria has repeatedly used chemical weapons against its own people and that Daesh used sulphur mustard.

“Canada calls for those responsible for the heinous use of chemical weapons to be held accountable for their actions and blatant violations of law. The international community must hold the Government of Syria to its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 2118 (2013).

“Canada also demands an immediate end to the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure—such as medical facilities—and the use of barrel bombs and other indiscriminate weapons, including chemical weapons, by the Government of Syria and by Daesh.

“Canada supports an extension of the mandate of the JIM so it may complete its work.”