Executive Council Discusses Findings of Fact-Finding Mission

In a meeting held today, the Executive Council discussed the second report of the Fact-Finding Mission issued on 10 September 2014.  The report concludes, with a high degree of confidence, that chlorine was used as a weapon systematically and repeatedly in three villages in northern Syria.

In addressing the meeting, the Director-General noted that the conclusions were deeply disturbing.

“It is a tragic irony that a hundred years after chlorine was first used on the battlefield, its misuse to kill and terrorise unarmed civilians has again raised its ugly head. The OPCW must show zero tolerance for any actions that threaten the norm against the use of any chemical as a weapon,” said Ambassador Üzümcü.

Several States Parties, who took the floor, expressed their views on the key findings of the report and supported the continuation of the Fact Finding Mission.