Syria's Voting Rights Restored at Chemical Weapons Watchdog Following Regime Change
Restoration of Syria's Voting Rights at the OPCW
Background: Loss of Voting Rights
AMSTERDAM, July 9 (Reuters) - Member states handed back Syria's voting rights at the global chemical weapons watchdog on Thursday, following what they described as "a significant change in circumstances" since the fall of the Assad regime.
Syria was stripped of its rights at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in 2021, after its forces were found to have repeatedly used poison gas during the civil war.
Symbolic and Political Implications
Although largely symbolic, this sent a political signal to Syria that breaches of the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, prohibiting all use of chemicals on the battlefield, would not be accepted.
Commitments by New Syrian Authorities
"Following the fall of the Assad regime, the new Syrian authorities committed to fulfilling Syria's obligations under the Convention and have since taken concrete steps," the OPCW said.
Efforts to Eliminate Chemical Weapons
Syria has vowed to work with the international community to rid itself of legacy weapons of mass destruction that pose a proliferation risk.
Discovery of Chemical Weapons Remnants
A Syrian official told Reuters in May that the country's transitional leadership had located remnants of former President Bashar al-Assad's clandestine chemical weapons program, including raw materials and munitions similar to those used to carry out deadly gas attacks during the country's civil war.
International Investigations and Accountability
Repeated investigations by the United Nations and the OPCW's special Investigation and Identification Team concluded that Syrian government forces used the nerve agent sarin and chlorine barrel bombs in attacks that investigators said killed or injured thousands.
Denials by Former Syrian Government and Allies
At the time, Syria and its military ally Russia repeatedly denied the use of chemical weapons.
Future Monitoring and Oversight
The OPCW's executive council on Thursday said it would continue to monitor Syria's progress and take decisions necessary to eliminate the remaining chemical weapons inherited from the former regime.
(Reporting by Bart Meijer, Editing by William Maclean)