Security Council Considers Progress Report of Joint Investigative Mechanism

The Security Council considered a progress report (document S/2016/530) of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism, pursuant to resolution 2235 (2015).  The report provides an overview of the Mechanism’s work since its last written report (document S/2016/142).

The Mechanism has been conducting in-depth investigations into nine cases related to incidents involving the use of chemicals as weapons in Syria between April 2014 and August 2015.

“Toxic substances should not be used as weapons by anyone, anywhere, ever.  This is a conviction we all share,” Virginia Gamba, Head of the Joint Investigative Mechanism, told the Security Council today.  “I believe that the Joint Investigative Mechanism was established to turn this conviction into effective action.”

The work of the Mechanism has been based on investigation plans which are constantly updated as new information is obtained.  In March, the investigation moved on to analysing, assessing and corroborating the information, while still receiving new data.  In support of the investigation, the Mechanism has engaged with Member States and other stakeholders, as well as forensic institutes and specialized laboratories.  Witness interviews are ongoing, as are visits to capitals, Syria and the region, both by the Leadership Panel and the investigators.

This work will continue until the end of July and will be reported to the Security Council in another written report in August 2016.  Depending on whether or not there is sufficient evidence of a credible and reliable nature, the Mechanism’s Leadership Panel may be able to say that a party was involved in the use of chemicals as weapons.

Full cooperation from the Syrian Government and all parties in Syria remains essential in the discharge of the Mechanism’s mandate.