Security Council requires Scheduled Destruction of Syria’s Chemical Weapons,
Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2118 (2013)
Deeply outraged by the use
of chemical weapons on 21 August in a Damascus suburb, as concluded by
a United Nations investigation team, the Security Council this evening
endorsed the expeditious destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons
programme, with inspections to begin by 1 October, and agreed that in
the event of non-compliance, it would impose “Chapter VII” measures.
Unanimously adopting
resolution 2118 (2013) in a fast-breaking evening meeting, the Council
determined that the use of chemical weapons anywhere constituted a
threat to international peace and security, and called for the full
implementation of the 27 September decision of the Organisation for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which contains special
procedures for the expeditious and verifiable destruction of Syria’s
chemical weapons.
Specifically, the Council
prohibited Syria from using, developing, producing, otherwise acquiring,
stockpiling or retaining chemical weapons, or transferring them to
other States or non-State actors, and underscored also that no party in
Syria should use, develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, retain or
transfer such weapons.
Also by the text, Syria
should comply with all aspects of the OPCW decision, notably by
accepting personnel designated by OPCW or the United Nations and
providing them with immediate and unfettered access to — and the right
to inspect — any and all chemical weapons sites.
Further, the Council
decided to regularly review Syria’s implementation of the OPCW
Executive Council decision and the present resolution, requesting the
OPCW Director-General, through the Secretary-General, to report to it
within 30 days and every month thereafter. Fully endorsing the Geneva
Communiqué of 30 June 2012, the Council called for the convening, as
soon as possible, of an international conference on Syria to implement
that Communiqué.
United Nations
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the resolution’s passage as “the
first hopeful news on Syria in a long time”, but said, even amid that
important step, “we must never forget that the catalogue of horrors in
Syria continues with bombs and tanks, grenades and guns”. He said the
plan to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons was “not a license to kill with conventional weapons”.
Stressing that the
perpetrators of the chemical attacks in Syria must be brought to
justice, he said a United Nations mission had returned to complete its
fact-finding investigation. The team would conclude its work next week
and he would promptly transmit a report to all Member States.
He pressed the Council to
capitalize on its new-found unity by focusing on two other equally
crucial dimensions of the conflict: the dire humanitarian situation and
the political crisis. For their parts, the
Syrian sides must engage constructively towards the creation of a
democratic State, while regional actors must challenge those who sought
to undermine that process.
In
the debate that followed, Council members praised the text for placing
binding obligations on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime,
requiring it to get rid of its “tools of terror”. United States
Secretary of State John Kerry said that that regime bore the burden of meeting the terms of the resolution.
At the same time, Sergey
Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation,
emphasized that the responsibility for implementing the resolution did
not lay with Syria alone. The text had not been passed under the
Charter's Chapter VII, nor did it allow for coercive measures. It
contained requirements for all countries, especially Syria's
neighbours, which must report on moves by non-State actors to secure
chemical weapons.
Also speaking in today’s
debate were the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, Luxembourg,
France, Azerbaijan, Republic of Korea, China, Guatemala, Morocco
and Argentina, as well as the Adviser to the Prime Minister on
National Security and Foreign Affairs of Pakistan.
The representatives of Rwanda, Togo and Australia also spoke.
The meeting began at 8:15 p.m. and ended at 9:45 p.m.
Background
The Security Council met this evening to consider the situation in Syria.
Statements
Describing the resolution
just adopted as "historic" and "the first hopeful news on Syria in a
long time", United Nations Secretary-General BAN KI-MOON said the
international community had given a firm and united response.
Stating that the
perpetrators of the chemical attacks in Syria must be brought to
justice, he said a United Nations mission had returned to complete its
investigation. The team would conclude its fact-finding activities next
week and the Secretary-General would promptly transmit a report to all
Member States.
Welcoming Syria's
accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention, he said the Organisation
for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) established ambitious but
realistic deadlines for the verified elimination of the programme.
The resolution would
ensure that the elimination of the Syrian chemical weapons programme
happened as soon as possible and with the utmost transparency, he said,
stressing that the cooperation of the Syrian Government and opposition
forces would be crucial.
Declaring that a red light
for one form of weapons did not mean a green light for others, he said
that all violence must end and all guns must fall silent. “We must
capitalize on the new-found unity of the Council by focusing on the two
other equally crucial dimension of the conflict: the dire humanitarian
situation and the political crisis,” he urged.
The text, he noted, also
called for an international conference on Syria, which both the
Government and the opposition had said they would attend. He said the
conference was aimed for mid-November.
No
one was naïve to the challenges of ending the conflict peacefully, he
said. The Syrian sides must engage constructively towards the creation
of a democratic State, while the regional actors must challenge those
who actively sought to undermine the process and who did not respect
Syria’s sovereignty.
As
for the Security Council members, he said that, individually and
collectively, they had a key role in ushering the Geneva process
forward towards a lasting peaceful solution.
SERGEY LAVROV, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation,
said the resolution was in keeping with the Russian-American
agreement. The lead role in the coming work lay with OPCW, which, along
with the United Nations experts, would act impartially in Syria in
full respect of its sovereignty. He expected the Secretary-General and
the OPCW Director-General to closely cooperate in that work. He also
expected that the Secretary-General's recommendations would cover the
safety of international personnel.
Noting that Damascus had
shown its readiness for cooperation by joining the Chemical Weapons
Convention, he said that was a precondition for success. It also had
provided a list of its chemical weapons arsenal. Damascus would
continue to cooperate with international inspectors. The responsibility
for implementing the resolution did not lay only with Syria. He
emphasized that the text had not been passed under the Charter's
Chapter VII, nor did it allow coercive measures. Violations of its
requirements and use of chemical weapons by anyone must be carefully
investigated. The United Nations would stand ready to take action under
the Charter's Chapter VII. Violations must be 100 per cent proven.
The resolution contained
requirements for all countries, he said, especially Syria's
neighbours, which must report on moves by non-State actors to secure
chemical weapons. All such situations should be considered immediately
by the Security Council, as that would help create a zone free of
weapons of mass destruction and their delivery means. The resolution
set up a framework for the political settlement of the conflict by
backing the convening of an international conference, which he believed
could take place as early as mid-November. He also expected the Syrian
opposition to state its readiness. The Russian Federation would
participate in implementing the chemical disarmament programme and in
preparing for the Geneva II conference.
JOHN KERRY, Secretary of State of the United States,
said today's strong, "precedent-setting" resolution had shown that
diplomacy could be so powerful, it could peacefully defuse the worst
weapons of war. The text stated that chemical weapons use threatened
international peace and security — at any time, under any
circumstances. With a single voice, for the first time, binding
obligations had been placed on the Assad regime, requiring that it get
rid of its tools of terror. The text reflected what the Presidents of
the Russian Federation and the United States had set out to do, and
more; it sought to eliminate a country's chemical weapons ability.
He went on to say that
those weapons would be destroyed by mid-2014. The resolution also made
clear that those responsible for their use must be held accountable.
The Council had endorsed the Geneva Communiqué, and it had adopted a
legally binding resolution that spelled out in detail what Syria must
do to comply with it. It could not accept or reject the inspectors, but
must give unfettered access at all sites. “We are here because actions
have consequences,” he said.
Progress would be reported
to the Council, he said, stressing that non-compliance would lead to
the imposition of Chapter VII actions. The Council had shown that “when
we put aside politics for the common good, we are still capable of
great things”. The Assad regime carried the burden of meeting the terms
of the resolution; the world carried the burden of doing what it must
to end mass killing by other means — working with the same cooperation
that had brought States here today. Countries also must provide
humanitarian aid. Only then would the world have fulfilled its duty.
WILLIAM HAGUE, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom,
said today's "groundbreaking” text, the first on Syria in 17 months,
recognized that any use of chemical weapons posed a threat to
international peace and security, thereby establishing an important
international norm. It upheld the principle of accountability for the
proven use of those weapons, enforced legally binding obligations on
Syria to comply with OPCW, and it endorsed the 2012 Geneva Communiqué.
If properly implemented, the resolution would prevent a repeat of
atrocities carried out on 21 August.
He said the United
Kingdom was making a $3 million commitment to the OPCW Syria trust fund
and urged all States in a position to do so to contribute likewise. It
was vital that the Council build on today's consensus to progress
towards sustainable resolution of the Syrian crisis, first, by achieving
a negotiated political transition, with a transitional body formed on
the basis of mutual consent. He urged increased efforts to alleviate
the humanitarian crisis, for which the United Kingdom, thus far, had
provided $800 million. The Council must apply its weight to secure
unfettered access to those in need in Syria. With that, he urged
redoubled determination to work through the Geneva II process and secure
a better future for Syria.
JEAN ASSELBORN, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Luxembourg,
said the resolution contained robust and legally binding obligations,
with which Syria must fully comply. One of the most significant
chemical weapons programmes had been addressed through peaceful means.
Recounting the horrific images emerging from that country, he said it
was important that those never be reproduced. “For the first time, the
Security Council has determined chemical weapons use is a threat to
international peace.”
Urging the Syrian
Government to respect the aspirations of all Syrians, he called upon all
parties to take advantage of the positive dynamics, adding that any
delay would lead to more death and more destruction. The world could
not forget the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria and its neighbours.
In that connection, he urged Syria to grant free and unfettered access
and lift bureaucratic obstacles. “Time has come to refer the
perpetrators to the International Criminal Court,” he declared.
LAURENT FABIUS, Minister for Foreign Affairs of France,
said “tonight, in the midst of the Syrian crisis, the Security Council
can finally live up to its name”. The use of chemical weapons was
obvious; all clues pointed to the regime. No one in good faith could
deny that fact. The present resolution met France’s three
requirements: it determined that the use of chemical weapons
constituted a threat to international peace and security; clearly stated
that those responsible for such crimes must be held accountable; and
decided that, in the event of non-compliance by the Syrian regime, the
Council would take action under Chapter VII of the Charter. The
resolution was only a first step; now it must be implemented. The
Syrian regime, which until recently had denied possessing chemical
weapons, could not be trusted. The United Nations and OPCW should
immediately deploy their joint mission; the timetable set forth in the
present text must be enforced.
He added that “the
cooperation of Syria must be unconditional, and fully transparent”.
The Council, which would be informed regularly, would be the judge of
Syria’s commitment, and would impose measures under Chapter VII, if
necessary. France would remain “watchful”. It wanted to capitalize
on the Council’s unity to advance the political process and felt it was
necessary to prepare the Geneva II conference within the framework of
the Geneva Communiqué. He had chaired a meeting on Thursday with the
President of the Syrian National Coalition, who confirmed a readiness to
send a delegation as soon as possible. The Syrian regime’s supporters
must make a similar commitment. He urged the Secretary-General and his
Special Envoy to move quickly in that direction.
ELMAR MAHARRAM OGLU MAMMADYAROV, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan,
welcomed the resolution and expressed hope that it would help to end
the crisis. He said it was important that the Security Council stressed
the need to hold accountable the perpetrators of the chemical attacks
in Syria. Welcoming the American-Russian accord on Syria and the
OPCW role, he said it was critical to ensure compliance, adding that
tonight’s resolution had made careful provisions for that. All parties
should cease the violence, he said, and seek a political solution to the
conflict.
YUN BYUNG-SE, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea,
said the resolution showed the Council's unity on the Syrian crisis,
fulfilling its overdue responsibility to the Syrian people. Condemning
the use of chemical weapons in the strongest possible terms, he
reiterated that all such weapons should be eliminated — in Syria and
everywhere. Today's text made it clear that chemical weapons use
anywhere was a threat to international peace and security. Only its
full implementation would determine the value of the collective
enterprise. Its binding nature showed the Council's resolve to
eliminate chemical weapons in Syria, and the international community
bore responsibility for promoting its implementation. The world could
not afford acts of impunity, and, as such, the Council must ensure that
those responsible for chemical weapons use were held accountable. He
hoped an international conference would be held as soon as possible.
WANG YI, Foreign Minister of China,
said that neither Syria nor the region could afford another war. The
Security Council and the international community must make decisions
that would pass the judgement of history. Stating his opposition to
military solutions, he welcomed the resolution's focus on the search for
the chemical weapons. China, itself, had been a victim of chemical
weapons during the Second World War, and the country opposed those
weapons in all forms. He called for a comprehensive and accurate
settlement of the issue of chemical weapons in Syria, and urged the
international community to also step up efforts to deal with the
humanitarian crisis there. The political solution and the destruction
of chemical weapons must go side by side, he said, adding that the
parties in Syria must redouble efforts in what would be a complex
period ahead.
FERNANDO CARRERA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Guatemala,
welcomed the rejection of the use of chemical weapons in Syria by the
Russian Federation and the United States and the subsequent
14 September framework agreement. Today’s Council decision was “highly
significant”, as it helped renew efforts to end the violence, address
the humanitarian situation and meet the Syrian people’s demands.
Towards that end, Guatemala had persistently backed the 30 June 2012
Final Communiqué of the Action Group for Syria and the need to hold an
international conference to facilitate its implementation. Adoption of
the present text, which Guatemala had co-sponsored, was of vital
importance, considering that the last resolution on Syria had been
adopted in April 2012. He understood the sensitivity of the issue and
the urgency it demanded, and for that reason, had joined the consensus,
despite having preferred a greater role in its development.
He recognized the
importance of cooperation between the United Nations and OPCW,
particularly in terms of personnel access and safety, operational
support, privileges and immunities, and sufficient funding to carry out
their duties. He trusted that a date could be set soon for the
Geneva II Conference, and added that a transitional Syrian Government
with full executive powers could be set up under the mutual consent of
all parties. Such a Government must be inclusive. He expressed hope
for a ceasefire in the short term.
SARTAJ AZIZ, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Pakistan
on National Security and Foreign Affairs, said the resolution was a
landmark text, which demonstrated the Security Council’s leadership.
Its unanimous adoption meant the international community had taken
ownership of the process of eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons
programme. He hoped the new-found unity in the Council would be
maintained, and added that the 15-member body would have difficult
waters to navigate. A political settlement was the only way forward,
including to mitigate the humanitarian crisis. The announcement of the
convening of Geneva II reflected the urgency of the problem, he said,
adding that the international community should proceed with a sense of
purpose. Although it was too late for more than 100,000 Syrians, there
was hope for millions of others.
SAAD-EDDINE EL OTHMANI, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morocco,
said "at last" the Council had been able to agree on an important
resolution on the Syrian situation that reflected a genuine will to end
the conflict. He appreciated efforts made by the “P-5” towards a
solution that would find, destroy and ensure that chemical weapons were
never used again. The League of Arab States also had led initiatives on
the Syrian situation and the use of chemical weapons. Today’s historic
text outlined steps for dealing with chemical weapons, in line with the
United States-Russian Federation agreement. For the first time, it
recognized chemical weapons were a threat to international peace and
security. That would help to prevent a repeat of recent massacres,
eliminating one of the Middle East's largest chemical weapons arsenals
in a peaceful manner. Morocco hoped a date would soon be set for the
holding of the Geneva II Conference. Syria’s humanitarian situation
was a catastrophe and every effort must be made to support United
Nations agencies to help in that regard. Syria's neighbours were also
suffering.
HÉCTOR MARCOS TIMERMAN, Foreign Minister of Argentina,
noting that the unfolding “horror show” was neither isolated nor
unpredictable. Nevertheless, a door had been opened to a solution. The
world saw the pettiness of the geopolitical interests at play, which
had prompted ethical outrage in the international community. There was
no leeway for double standards, he said, adding that those using
chemical weapons must not go unpunished. The multilateral regime
established by the United Nations Charter must be the basis for the
lasting peace. The resolution established a specific mechanism for the
elimination of chemical weapons in Syria on the basis of the United
States-Russian Federation accord, and it also contained elements
discussed in the Council, which had prompted Argentina to co-sponsor
it. He called for greater efforts to address the other dimensions of
the conflict and said the Council must remain seized of the matter.
EUGÈNE-RICHARD GASANA ( Rwanda)
said that, as the world prepared for the twentieth anniversary of the
killing of Tutsis in his country, the conscience of the international
community had been stained by the ongoing conflict in Syria, now in
its thirteenth month. “We said ‘never again’ in Rwanda”; yet ethnic
cleansing and other horrors had occurred in many corners of the world.
The Council had not been able to save more than 100,000 people in
Syria, due to divisions among certain members. The 21 August attack had
led to the loss of innocent lives.
He welcomed the Council's
decision to impose coercive measures under the Charter’s Chapter VII,
should Syrian authorities not comply with today's text. He was pleased
it called for the revival of the Geneva process. A military solution
was not viable for that country or for the region. He urged the Council
— especially the “P-5” countries that had influence on Syrian parties —
to implement the Geneva Communiqué as soon as possible. Any political
solution should ensure that those who had committed crimes were held
accountable.
KODJO MENAN ( Togo),
welcoming the resolution’s adoption, said the spirit of compromise had
eventually prevailed. The Russian-American framework laid the
groundwork for the text, he said, adding that, by co-sponsoring it,
Togo not only had demonstrated its desire to see the elimination of
Syria’s chemical weapons, but also of all weapons of mass destruction.
The Security Council must step up efforts for a radiant future for
Syria through the Geneva II Conference, he said, adding that the unity
demonstrated in the Council must be used to bring together all parties
in Syria for a political solution. The Council also must pay
attention to the terrorist violence committed in that country, he said,
adding that an inclusive and multi-faith Syria would bring unity and
conciliation.
GARY QUINLAN ( Australia)
expressed hope that today's text would mark a turning point in the
Council's approach to Syria, showing that the body could use its
authority to help achieve a stable and secure future for Syrians. For
the first time, the Council had made clear that chemical weapons use was
a threat to international peace and security, strengthening a
fundamental norm of international relations: that the use of those
weapons was abhorrent and breached international law.
He said that the text
imposed legally binding obligations on Syria to secure and destroy its
chemical weapons, and place them and related materials under
international supervision. The Council decided that non-compliance by
Syria would result in Chapter VII consequences. Importantly, the
Council reaffirmed that the perpetrators of that mass atrocity crimes
must be held accountable. Australia believed that available data
showed that the Syrian authorities were responsible for chemical weapons
use and that the Council should refer the situation to the
International Criminal Court. Also, for the first time, the Council
endorsed the Geneva Communiqué. It must now address humanitarian crisis
more decisively.
Resolution
The full text of Security Council resolution 2118 (2013) reads as follows:
“The Security Council,
“Recalling the
Statements of its President of 3 August 2011, 21 March 2012,
5 April 2012, and its resolutions 1540 (2004), 2042 (2012) and
2043 (2012),
“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic,
“Reaffirming that
the proliferation of chemical weapons, as well as their means of
delivery, constitutes a threat to international peace and security,
“Recalling that the
Syrian Arab Republic on 22 November 1968 acceded to the Protocol for
the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other
Gases and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva on
17 June 1925,
“Noting that on
14 September 2013, the Syrian Arab Republic deposited with the
Secretary-General its instrument of accession to the Convention on the
Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of
Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (Convention) and declared that
it shall comply with its stipulations and observe them faithfully and
sincerely, applying the Convention provisionally pending its entry into
force for the Syrian Arab Republic,
“Welcoming the
establishment by the Secretary-General of the United Nations Mission to
Investigate Allegations of the Use of Chemical Weapons in the Syrian
Arab Republic (the Mission) pursuant to General Assembly
resolution 42/37 C (1987) of 30 November 1987, and reaffirmed by
resolution 620 (1988) of 26 August 1988, and expressing appreciation for the work of the Mission,
“Acknowledging the report of 16 September 2013 (S/2013/553) by the Mission, underscoring the need for the Mission to fulfil its mandate, and emphasizing that future credible allegations of chemical weapons use in the Syrian Arab Republic should be investigated,
“Deeply outraged by the use of chemical weapons on 21 August 2013 in Rif Damascus, as concluded in the Mission’s report, condemning the killing of civilians that resulted from it, affirming that the use of chemical weapons constitutes a serious violation of international law, and stressing that those responsible for any use of chemical weapons must be held accountable,
“Recalling the
obligation under resolution 1540 (2004) that all States shall refrain
from providing any form of support to non-State actors that attempt to
develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use
weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons and their means
of delivery,
“Welcoming the
Framework for Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons dated
14 September 2013, in Geneva, between the Russian Federation and the
United States of America (S/2013/565), with a view to ensuring the
destruction of the Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical weapons programme in
the soonest and safest manner, and expressing its commitment to the immediate international control over chemical weapons and their components in the Syrian Arab Republic,
“Welcoming the
decision of the Executive Council of the Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) of 27 September 2013 establishing
special procedures for the expeditious destruction of the Syrian Arab
Republic’s chemical weapons programme and stringent verification
thereof, and expressing its determination to ensure the
destruction of the Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical weapons program
according to the timetable contained in the OPCW Executive Council
decision of 27 September 2013,
“Stressing that the
only solution to the current crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic is
through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process based on the
Geneva Communiqué of 30 June 2012, and emphasising the need to convene the international conference on Syria as soon as possible,
“Determining that the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic constitutes a threat to international peace and security,
“Underscoring that
Member States are obligated under Article 25 of the Charter of the
United Nations to accept and carry out the Council's decisions,
“1. Determines that the use of chemical weapons anywhere constitutes a threat to international peace and security;
“2. Condemns in
the strongest terms any use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab
Republic, in particular the attack on 21 August 2013, in violation of
international law;
“3. Endorses the
decision of the OPCW Executive Council 27 September 2013, which contains
special procedures for the expeditious destruction of the Syrian Arab
Republic’s chemical weapons programme and stringent verification thereof
and calls for its full implementation in the most expedient and safest
manner;
“4. Decides that
the Syrian Arab Republic shall not use, develop, produce, otherwise
acquire, stockpile or retain chemical weapons, or transfer, directly or
indirectly, chemical weapons to other States or non-State actors;
“5. Underscores that no party in Syria should use, develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, retain, or transfer chemical weapons;
“6. Decides that
the Syrian Arab Republic shall comply with all aspects of the
decision of the OPCW Executive Council of 27 September 2013 (Annex I);
“7. Decides that
the Syrian Arab Republic shall cooperate fully with the OPCW and the
United Nations, including by complying with their relevant
recommendations, by accepting personnel designated by the OPCW or the
United Nations, by providing for and ensuring the security of activities
undertaken by these personnel, by providing these personnel with
immediate and unfettered access to and the right to inspect, in
discharging their functions, any and all sites, and by allowing
immediate and unfettered access to individuals that the OPCW has grounds
to believe to be of importance for the purpose of its mandate, and decides that all parties in Syria shall cooperate fully in this regard;
“8. Decides to authorize an advance team of United Nations personnel to provide early assistance to OPCW activities in Syria, requests
the Director-General of the OPCW and the Secretary-General to closely
cooperate in the implementation of the Executive Council decision of
27 September 2013 and this resolution, including through their
operational activities on the ground, and further requests the
Secretary-General, in consultation with the Director-General of the OPCW
and, where appropriate, the Director-General of the World Health
Organization, to submit to the Council within 10 days of the adoption of
this resolution recommendations regarding the role of the United
Nations in eliminating the Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical weapons
program;
“9. Notes that the Syrian Arab Republic is a party to the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, decides that
OPCW-designated personnel undertaking activities provided for in this
resolution or the decision of the OPCW Executive Council of
27 September 2013 shall enjoy the privileges and immunities contained in
the Verification Annex, Part II(B) of the Chemical Weapons Convention,
and calls on the Syrian Arab Republic to conclude modalities agreements with the United Nations and the OPCW;
“10. Encourages
Member States to provide support, including personnel, technical
expertise, information, equipment, and financial and other resources and
assistance, in coordination with the Director-General of the OPCW and
the Secretary-General, to enable the OPCW and the United Nations to
implement the elimination of the Syrian Arab Republic’s chemical weapons
programme, and decides to authorize Member States to acquire,
control, transport, transfer and destroy chemical weapons identified by
the Director-General of the OPCW, consistent with the objective of the
Chemical Weapons Convention, to ensure the elimination of the Syrian
Arab Republic’s chemical weapons programme in the soonest and safest
manner;
“11. Urges all
Syrian parties and interested Member States with relevant capabilities
to work closely together and with the OPCW and the United Nations to
arrange for the security of the monitoring and destruction mission,
recognizing the primary responsibility of the Syrian Government in this
regard;
“12. Decides to
review on a regular basis the implementation in the Syrian Arab Republic
of the decision of the OPCW Executive Council of 27 September 2013 and
this resolution, and requests the Director-General of the OPCW to
report to the Security Council, through the Secretary-General, who
shall include relevant information on United Nations activities related
to the implementation of this resolution, within 30 days and every month
thereafter, and requests further the Director-General of the
OPCW and the Secretary-General to report in a coordinated manner, as
needed, to the Security Council, non-compliance with this resolution or
the OPCW Executive Council decision of 27 September 2013;
“13. Reaffirms its
readiness to consider promptly any reports of the OPCW under
Article VIII of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which provides for the
referral of cases of non-compliance to the United Nations Security
Council;
“14. Decides that
Member States shall inform immediately the Security Council of any
violation of resolution 1540(2004), including acquisition by non-State
actors of chemical weapons, their means of delivery and related
materials in order to take necessary measures therefore;
“15. Expresses its
strong conviction that those individuals responsible for the use of
chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic should be held
accountable;
“16. Endorses
fully the Geneva Communiqué of 30 June 2012 (Annex II), which sets out a
number of key steps beginning with the establishment of a transitional
governing body exercising full executive powers, which could include
members of the present Government and the opposition and other groups
and shall be formed on the basis of mutual consent;
“17. Calls for the convening, as soon as possible, of an international conference on Syria to implement the Geneva Communiqué, and calls upon all Syrian parties to engage seriously and constructively at the Geneva Conference on Syria, and underscores
that they should be fully representative of the Syrian people and
committed to the implementation of the Geneva Communiqué and to the
achievement of stability and reconciliation;
“18. Reaffirms that all Member States shall refrain from providing any form of support to non-State actors that attempt to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery, and calls upon all Member States, in particular Member States neighbouring the Syrian Arab Republic, to report any violations of this paragraph to the Security Council immediately;
“19. Demands that
non-State actors not develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport,
transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means
of delivery, and calls upon all Member States, in particular
Member States neighbouring the Syrian Arab Republic, to report any
actions inconsistent with this paragraph to the Security Council
immediately;
“21. Decides, in
the event of non-compliance with this resolution, including unauthorized
transfer of chemical weapons, or any use of chemical weapons by anyone
in the Syrian Arab Republic, to impose measures under Chapter VII of the
United Nations Charter;
“22. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Annex I
OPCW Executive Council Decision
Decision on destruction of Syrian chemical weapons
“The Executive Council,
“Recalling that following
its thirty-second Meeting, 27 March 2013, the Chairperson of the
Executive Council (hereinafter “the Council”) issued a statement
(EC-M-32/2/Rev.1, dated 27 March 2013) expressing “deep concern that
chemical weapons may have been used in the Syrian Arab Republic”, and
underlining that “the use of chemical weapons by anyone under any
circumstances would be reprehensible and completely contrary to the
legal norms and standards of the international community”;
“Recalling also that the
third Review Conference (RC-3/3*, 19 April 2013) expressed “deep concern
that chemical weapons may have been used in the Syrian Arab Republic
and underlined that use of chemical weapons by anyone under any
circumstances would be reprehensible and completely contrary to the
legal norms and standards of the international community”;
“Noting the “Report on the
Alleged Use of Chemical Weapons in the Ghouta area of Damascus on
21 August 2013,” (S/2013/553, dated 16 September 2013) prepared by the
United Nations Mission to Investigate Allegations of the Use of Chemical
Weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic, dated 16 September 2013, which
concludes that “chemical weapons have been used in the ongoing conflict
between the parties in the Syrian Arab Republic, also against civilians,
including children, on a relatively large scale”;
“Condemning in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons;
“Welcoming the Framework
for Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons agreed upon by the United
States and the Russian Federation on 14 September 2013
(EC-M-33/NAT.1, dated 17 September 2013);
(EC-M-33/NAT.1, dated 17 September 2013);
“Noting also that on
12 September 2013, in its communication to the Secretary-General of the
United Nations, the Syrian Arab Republic notified its intention to apply
the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production,
Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction
(hereinafter “the Convention”) provisionally;
“Noting further that on
14 September 2013, the Syrian Arab Republic deposited with the
Secretary-General of the United Nations its instrument of accession to
the Convention and declared that it shall comply with its stipulations
and observe them faithfully and sincerely, applying the Convention
provisionally pending its entry into force for the Syrian Arab Republic,
which was notified to all States Parties by the depositary on the same
date (C.N.592.2013.TREATIES-XXVI.3), and taking into account that the
depositary received no communications to the contrary from the States
Parties with regard to this declaration;
“Noting further that the Convention enters into force for the Syrian Arab Republic on 14 October 2013;
“Recognizing the
extraordinary character of the situation posed by Syrian chemical
weapons and determined to ensure that the activities necessary for the
destruction of the Syrian chemical weapons programme start immediately
pending the formal entry into force of the Convention with respect to
the Syrian Arab Republic, and are conducted in the most rapid and safe
manner;
“Recognizing also the
invitation of the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to receive
immediately a technical delegation from the OPCW and to cooperate with
the OPCW in accordance with the provisional application of the
Convention prior to its entry into force for the Syrian Arab Republic,
and noting the designation by the Syrian Arab Republic to the Technical
Secretariat (hereinafter “the Secretariat”) of its National Authority;
“Emphasising that the
provisional application of the Convention gives immediate effect to its
provisions with respect to the Syrian Arab Republic;
“Noting further that the
Syrian Arab Republic submitted on 19 September 2013 the detailed
information, including names, types and quantities of its chemical
weapons agents, types of munitions and location and form of storage,
production, and research and development facilities;
“Noting further that
pursuant to paragraph 36 of Article VIII of the Convention, the Council,
following its consideration of doubts or concerns regarding compliance
and cases of non-compliance, shall, in cases of particular gravity and
urgency, bring the issue or matter, including relevant information and
conclusions, directly to the attention of the United Nations General
Assembly and the United Nations Security Council;
“Taking into account the
Agreement Concerning the Relationship between the United Nations and the
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons of
17 October 2000;
“Strongly urging all
remaining States not Party to the Convention to ratify or accede to it
as a matter of urgency and without preconditions, in the interests of
enhancing their own national security, as well as contributing to global
peace and security; and
“Recalling that, pursuant
to paragraph 8 of Article IV and paragraph 10 of Article V of the
Convention, a State acceding to the Convention after 2007 shall destroy
its chemical weapons and its chemical weapons production facilities as
soon as possible, and the Council shall determine the “order of
destruction and procedures for stringent verification” of such
destruction;
“Hereby:
“1. Decides that the Syrian Arab Republic shall:
(a) not later than
7 days after the adoption of this decision, submit to the Secretariat
further information, to supplement that provided on 19 September 2013,
on the chemical weapons as defined in paragraph1 of Article II of the
Convention that the Syrian Arab Republic owns or possesses, or has under
its jurisdiction or control, in particular:
(i) the chemical name
and military designator of each chemical in its chemical weapons
stockpile, including precursors and toxins, and quantities thereof;
(ii) the specific type of
munitions, sub-munitions and devices in its chemical weapons stockpile,
including specific quantities of each type that are filled and
unfilled; and
(iii)the location of all
of its chemical weapons, chemical weapons storage facilities, chemical
weapons production facilities, including mixing and filling facilities
and chemical weapons research and development facilities, providing
specific geographic coordinates;
(b) not later than
30 days after the adoption of this decision, submit to the Secretariat
the declaration required by Article III of the Convention;
(c) complete the
elimination of all chemical weapons material and equipment in the first
half of 2014, subject to the detailed requirements, including
intermediate destruction milestones, to be decided by the Council not
later than 15 November 2013;
(d) complete as soon as
possible and in any case not later than 1 November 2013, the destruction
of chemical weapons production and mixing/filling equipment;
(e) cooperate fully with
all aspects of the implementation of this decision, including by
providing the OPCW personnel with the immediate and unfettered right to
inspect any and all sites in the Syrian Arab Republic;
(f) designate an
official as the main point of contact for the Secretariat and provide
him or her with the authority necessary to ensure that this decision is
fully implemented.
“2. Decides further that the Secretariat shall:
(a) make available to
all States Parties, within five days of its receipt, any information or
declaration referred to in this decision, which shall be handled in
accordance with the Annex to the Convention on the Protection of
Confidential Information;
(b) as soon as possible
and in any case not later than 1 October 2013, initiate inspections in
the Syrian Arab Republic pursuant to this decision;
(c) inspect not later
than 30 days after the adoption of this decision, all facilities
contained in the list referred to in paragraph 1 (a) above;
(d) inspect as soon as
possible any other site identified by a State Party as having been
involved in the Syrian chemical weapons programme, unless deemed
unwarranted by the Director-General, or the matter resolved through the
process of consultations and cooperation;
(e) be authorized to
hire, on a short-term basis, qualified inspectors and other technical
experts and to rehire, on a short-term basis, inspectors, other
technical experts and such other personnel as may be required whose term
of service has recently expired, in order to ensure efficient and
effective implementation of this decision in accordance with
paragraph 44 of Article VIII of the Convention; and
(f) report to the
Council on a monthly basis on implementation of this decision including
progress achieved by the Syrian Arab Republic in meeting the
requirements of this decision and the Convention, activities carried out
by the Secretariat with respect to the Syrian Arab Republic and its
needs for any supplementary resources, particularly technical and
personnel resources.
“3. Decides further:
(a) to consider, on an
urgent basis, the funding mechanisms for activities carried out by the
Secretariat with respect to the Syrian Arab Republic, and to call upon
all States Parties in a position to do so to provide voluntary
contributions for activities carried out in the implementation of this
decision;
(b) to meet within
24 hours if the Director-General reports delay by the Syrian Arab
Republic in meeting the requirements of this decision or the Convention,
including, inter alia, the cases referred to in paragraph 7 of Part II
of the Annex to the Convention on Implementation and Verification, or a
lack of cooperation in the Syrian Arab Republic or another problem that
has arisen with regard to the implementation of this decision and at
that meeting to consider whether to bring the matter, including relevant
information and conclusions, to the attention of the United Nations
Security Council in accordance with paragraph 36 of Article VIII of the
Convention;
(c) to remain seized of the matter; and
(d) to recognize that
this decision is made due to the extraordinary character of the
situation posed by Syrian chemical weapons and does not create any
precedent for the future.
Annex II
Action Group for Syria Final Communiqué
30 June 2012
“1. On 30 June 2012, the
Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the League of Arab
States, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of China, France, the Russian
Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
the United States of America, Turkey, Iraq (Chair of the Summit of the
League of Arab States), Kuwait (Chair of the Council of Foreign
Ministers of the League of Arab States) and Qatar (Chair of the Arab
Follow-up Committee on Syria of the League of Arab States) and the High
Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy met at the United Nations Office at Geneva as the Action Group
for Syria, chaired by the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and
the League of Arab States to Syria.
“2. The members of the
Action Group came together out of grave alarm at the situation in the
Syrian Arab Republic. They strongly condemn the continued and
escalating killing, destruction and human rights abuses. They are
deeply concerned at the failure to protect civilians, the
intensification of the violence, the potential for even deeper conflict
in the country and the regional dimensions of the problem. The
unacceptable nature and magnitude of the crisis demands a common
position and joint international action.
“3. The members of the
Action Group are committed to the sovereignty, independence, national
unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. They
are determined to work urgently and intensively to bring about an end to
the violence and human rights abuses, and to facilitate the launch of a
Syrian-led political process leading to a transition that meets the
legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people and enables them
independently and democratically to determine their own future.
“4. In order to secure
these common objectives, the members of the Action Group (a) identified
steps and measures by the parties to secure the full implementation of
the six-point plan and Security Council resolutions 2042 (2012) and
2043 (2012), including an immediate cessation of violence in all its
forms; (b) agreed on principles and guidelines for a political
transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people;
and (c) agreed on actions that they would take to implement the
objectives in support of the Joint Special Envoy’s efforts to facilitate
a Syrian-led political process. They are convinced that this can
encourage and support progress on the ground and will help to facilitate
and support a Syrian-led transition.
Identified steps and
measures by the parties to secure the full implementation of the
six-point plan and Security Council resolutions 2042 (2012)
and 2043 (2012), including an immediate cessation of violence in all its
forms
“5. The parties must
fully implement the six-point plan and Security Council
resolutions 2042 (2012) and 2043 (2012). To that end:
(a) All parties must
recommit to a sustained cessation of armed violence in all its forms and
to the implementation of the six-point plan immediately and without
waiting for the actions of others. The Government and armed opposition
groups must cooperate with the United Nations Supervision Mission in the
Syrian Arab Republic (UNSMIS), with a view to furthering the
implementation of the plan in accordance with the Mission’s mandate;
(b) A cessation of armed
violence must be sustained, with immediate, credible and visible
actions by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to implement the
other items of the six-point plan, including:
(i) Intensification of
the pace and scale of release of arbitrarily detained persons, including
especially vulnerable categories of persons, and persons involved in
peaceful political activities; the provision, without delay and through
appropriate channels, of a list of all places in which such persons are
being detained; the immediate organization of access to such locations;
and the provision, through appropriate channels, of prompt responses to
all written requests for information, access or release regarding such
persons;
(ii) Ensuring freedom of movement throughout the country for journalists and a non-discriminatory visa policy for them;
(iii)Respecting freedom of association and the right to demonstrate peacefully, as legally guaranteed;
(c) In all
circumstances, all parties must show full respect for the safety and
security of UNSMIS and fully cooperate with and facilitate the Mission
in all respects;
(d) In all
circumstances, the Government must allow immediate and full humanitarian
access by humanitarian organizations to all areas affected by the
fighting. The Government and all parties must enable the evacuation of
the wounded, and all civilians who wish to leave must be enabled to do
so. All parties must fully adhere to their obligations under
international law, including in relation to the protection of civilians.
Agreed principles and guidelines for a Syrian-led transition
“6. The members of the Action Group agreed on the principles and guidelines for a Syrian-led transition set out below.
“7. Any political settlement must deliver to the people of the Syrian Arab Republic a transition that:
(a) Offers a perspective for the future that can be shared by all in the Syrian Arab Republic;
(b) Establishes clear steps according to a firm timetable towards the realization of that perspective;
(c) Can be implemented in a climate of safety for all and of stability and calm;
(d) Is reached rapidly without further bloodshed and violence and is credible.
“8. Perspective for the future.
The aspirations of the people of the Syrian Arab Republic have
been clearly expressed by the wide range of Syrians consulted. There is
an overwhelming wish for a State that:
(a) Is genuinely
democratic and pluralistic, giving space to established and newly
emerging political actors to compete fairly and equally in elections.
This also means that the commitment to multiparty democracy must be a
lasting one, going beyond an initial round of elections;
(b) Complies with
international standards on human rights, the independence of the
judiciary, accountability of those in Government and the rule of law.
It is not enough just to enunciate such a commitment. There must be
mechanisms available to the people to ensure that these commitments are
kept by those in authority;
(c) Offers equal
opportunities and chances for all. There is no room for sectarianism or
discrimination on ethnic, religious, linguistic or any other grounds.
Numerically smaller communities must be assured that their rights will
be respected.
“9. Clear steps in the transition.
The conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic will end only when all
sides are assured that there is a peaceful way towards a common future
for all in the country. It is therefore essential that any settlement
provide for clear and irreversible steps in the transition according to a
fixed time frame. The key steps in any transition include:
(a) The establishment of
a transitional governing body that can establish a neutral environment
in which the transition can take place, with the transitional governing
body exercising full executive powers. It could include members of the
present Government and the opposition and other groups and shall be
formed on the basis of mutual consent;
(b) It is for the Syrian
people to determine the future of the country. All groups and segments
of society in the Syrian Arab Republic must be enabled to
participate in a national dialogue process. That process must be not
only inclusive but also meaningful. In other words, its key outcomes
must be implemented;
(c) On that basis, there
can be a review of the constitutional order and the legal system. The
result of constitutional drafting would be subject to popular approval;
(d) Upon establishment
of the new constitutional order, it will be necessary to prepare for and
conduct free and fair multiparty elections for the new institutions and
offices that have been established;
(e) Women must be fully represented in all aspects of the transition.
“10. Safety, stability and calm.
Any transition involves change. However, it is essential to ensure
that the transition can be implemented in a way that ensures the safety
of all in an atmosphere of stability and calm. This requires:
(a) Consolidation of
full calm and stability. All parties must cooperate with the
transitional governing body to ensure the permanent cessation of
violence. This includes completion of withdrawals and addressing the
issue of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed
groups;
(b) Effective steps to
ensure that vulnerable groups are protected and that immediate action is
taken to address humanitarian issues in areas of need. It is also
necessary to ensure that the release of the detained is completed
rapidly;
(c) Continuity of
governmental institutions and qualified staff. Public services must be
preserved or restored. This includes the military forces and security
services. However, all governmental institutions, including the
intelligence services, have to perform according to human rights and
professional standards and operate under a leadership that inspires
public confidence, under the control of the transitional governing body;
(d) Commitment to
accountability and national reconciliation. Accountability for acts
committed during the present conflict must be addressed. There also
needs to be a comprehensive package for transitional justice, including
compensation or rehabilitation for victims of the present conflict,
steps towards national reconciliation and forgiveness.
“11. Rapid steps to come to a credible political agreement.
It is for the people of the Syrian Arab Republic to come to a
political agreement, but time is running out. It is clear that:
(a) The sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic must be respected;
(b) The conflict must be
resolved through peaceful dialogue and negotiation alone. Conditions
conducive to a political settlement must now be put in place;
(c) There must be an end
to the bloodshed. All parties must recommit themselves credibly to the
six-point plan. This must include a cessation of armed violence in all
its forms and immediate, credible and visible actions to implement
points 2 to 6 of the six-point plan;
(d) All parties must now
engage genuinely with the Joint Special Envoy. The parties must be
prepared to put forward effective interlocutors to work expeditiously
towards a Syrian-led settlement that meets the legitimate aspirations of
the people. The process must be fully inclusive in order to ensure
that the views of all segments of Syrian society are heard in shaping
the political settlement for the transition;
(e) The organized
international community, including the members of the Action Group,
stands ready to offer significant support for the implementation of an
agreement reached by the parties. This may include an international
assistance presence under a United Nations mandate if requested.
Significant funds will be available to support reconstruction and
rehabilitation.
Agreed actions
“12. Agreed actions that
the members of the Group will take to implement the above in support of
the Joint Special Envoy’s efforts to facilitate a Syrian-led political
process are as follows:
(a) Action Group members
will engage as appropriate, and apply joint and sustained pressure on,
the parties in the Syrian Arab Republic to take the steps and
measures outlined in paragraph 5 above;
(b) Action Group members are opposed to any further militarization of the conflict;
(c) Action Group members
emphasize to the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic the
importance of the appointment of an effective empowered interlocutor,
when requested by the Joint Special Envoy to do so, to work on the basis
of the six point plan and the present communiqué;
(d) Action Group members
urge the opposition to increase cohesion and to be in a position to
ensure effective representative interlocutors to work on the basis of
the six-point plan and the present communiqué;
(e) Action Group members
will give full support to the Joint Special Envoy and his team as they
immediately engage the Government and the opposition, and will consult
widely with Syrian society, as well as other international actors, to
further develop the way forward;
(f) Action Group members
would welcome the further convening by the Joint Special Envoy of a
meeting of the Action Group, should he deem it necessary to review the
concrete progress taken on all points agreed in the present communiqué
and to determine what further and additional steps and actions are
needed from the Action Group to address the crisis. The Joint Special
Envoy will also keep the United Nations and the League of Arab States
informed.”
