State Department: Το καθεστώς Άσαντ έχει κατάφωρα παραβιάσει τη Σύμβαση για τα Χημικά Όπλα

One year ago today, the Assad regime launched a horrific attack using the nerve agent sarin against its own citizens in Khan Shaykhun, killing approximately 100 people – including many children – and injuring hundreds more. Our hearts go out to the Syrian people in remembrance of that shocking day and those families who experienced the horrific loss of their loved ones.

An independent and impartial investigative body, mandated by the UN Security Council, has confirmed the Assad regime was responsible for the attack in Khan Shaykhun and three other chemical attacks. The reports of chemical weapons use against the Syrian people continue. The Assad regime has blatantly violated the Chemical Weapons Convention and UN Security Council resolutions, and no drumbeat of nonsensical claims by either the regime or its protectors can hide this truth.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to shield its Syrian ally by openly impeding international efforts to hold the Assad regime responsible for these heinous attacks. At the United Nations, Russia thrice vetoed renewing the mandate of the only international, independent body authorized to determine attribution for these attacks. Russia can and must help ensure accountability for chemical weapons use in Syria.

On this solemn occasion, we once again condemn in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone, under any circumstances, and pledge our continued commitment to ensure that those responsible face serious consequences. We call on the international community to help us bring an end to the use of chemical weapons.

 
Joint Statement on First Anniversary of Chemical Attack on Khan Sheikhoun, Syria

The text of the following statement was released by UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, and U.S. Acting Secretary John Sullivan.

Today marks one year since the heinous attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun, where Asad’s forces unleashed sarin nerve gas with tragic consequences for hundreds of men, women and children.

For more than seven long years there has been no let-up in the atrocities committed by the Syrian regime, enabled by its backers, in flagrant violation of international law. The suffering that has been inflicted on the Syrian people by the Asad regime and its backers is abhorrent.

In 2013, Russia promised to ensure Syria would abandon all of its chemical weapons. Since then, international investigators mandated by the UN Security Council have found the Asad regime responsible for using poison gas in four separate attacks. Instead of fulfilling its promise, Russia reacted by using its Security Council veto to shut down the investigation.

Each time a chemical weapon is used, it undermines the global consensus against their employment. Any such use is a clear violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and gravely undermines the rules-based international order.

We condemn the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere. We are committed to ensuring that all those responsible use are held to account. We will not rest in our efforts to seek justice for the victims of these abhorrent attacks in Syria.