Statement by H.E. Mr Ahmet Üzümcü,
Director-General of the OPCW
On behalf of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, I wish to convey to the authorities and inhabitants of the city of Halabja our deepest sympathies for those who fell victim to one of the largest and most brutal attacks by chemical weapons.
Every year on 16 March the tragedy of Halabja is remembered. On this day 25 years ago, the inhabitants of Halabja were subjected to the most unspeakable atrocity – the use of chemical weapons against innocent and unprotected civilians.
The strong resolve of the international community to permanently rid our world from the threat of chemical weapons has played a crucial role in establishing the success of the Chemical Weapons Convention and in achieving near-universal adherence to it.
As we pay our tribute to the memory of those who perished and suffered greatly in the aftermath of this tragedy, we also remind ourselves of our commitment to never let this happen again.
To ensure that future generations are forever spared the horror and suffering that occurred in Halabja in 1988, we must rededicate ourselves to the complete elimination of chemical weapons from the world and to the prevention of re-emergence of these weapons in the future. It is our shared responsibility to ensure the success of the Convention in the years ahead.
The suffering of the people of Halabja today remind us that we should be vigilant, and show courage in our efforts to reach a world free from chemical weapons. Let us continue to work together to that end.
Thank you for your attention.