Global chemical weapons watchdog blames Syria for toxic attacks

News: Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), for the first time, explicitly blamed Syria for toxic attacks in 2017.

Facts:

• The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention(1997). It has 193 members including India.
• Established: 1997
• Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands.
• Goal: Preventing chemical warfare
• Objectives:
  • Destroying all existing chemical weapons under international verification by the OPCW.
  • Monitoring chemical industry to prevent chemical weapons from re-emerging.
  • Providing assistance and protection to States Parties against chemical threats.
  • Fostering international cooperation to strengthen implementation of the Convention and promote the peaceful use of chemistry.