Still using chemical weapons 

Still using chemical weapons 

Context

On the latest suspected attack in Douma, Syria

What has happened?

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is a Hague-based intergovernmental body that works for the elimination of chemical weapons. It was formed after the Chemical Weapons Convention — an arms control treaty that bans the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons — entered into force in 1997

OPCW

• The OPCW is the implementing body of the Convention
• All its 192 member states are required to destroy their existing stockpiles of chemical weapons and stop large-scale production
• These actions are subject to verification by the OPCW
• According to the OPCW, over 96% of the world’s declared chemical weapons stockpiles have been destroyed
• The OPCW has the powers to inspect chemical production facilities
• Israel has signed the agreement but is yet to ratify it. The countries that have not signed it are Egypt, South Sudan and North Korea.

What is its mission in Syria?

• A team of inspectors from the OPCW recently arrived in Damascus, the Syrian capital, to probe a suspected chemical weapons attack in the neighbouring town of Douma
• Earlier, OPCW had concluded that chemical weapons were used in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta (2013) and Khan Sheikhoun (2017)

Can the OPCW prevent further attacks?

• After the Eastern Ghouta attack, the U.S. and Russia joined hands to take Syria’s chemical weapons out of the country. The operation was carried out under the OPCW’s watch.
• But Syria continued to see chemical attacks, which have been blamed both on the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and the rebels, raising questions on whether Syria has indeed got rid of its arsenal
• The main problem is that even the OPCW has only limited access to Syria. Even with the Douma investigation, there are allegations that Russia has tampered with evidence on the ground. In theory, the OPCW should be allowed to destroy Syria’s entire chemical weapons stockpiles.