Embassy of India

The Hague

Press Release

April 17, 2018

India calls for an impartial and objective investigation by the Organization of Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)  into alleged use of chemical weapons in Douma, Syria

India yesterday called for an impartial and objective investigation by the OPCW into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Douma, Syrian Arab Republic. The above statement was made by Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to OPCW Venu Rajamony at the 58th Meeting of the Executive Council of the OPCW convened yesterday to discuss allegations regarding use of chemical weapons in Douma, Syria.

 Stating that the alleged use, if true, is deplorable, Ambassador Venu Rajamony pointed out that the use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anybody, under any circumstances, cannot be justified and the perpetrators of such abhorrent acts must be held accountable. He said any use of chemical weapons is in complete disregard of humanity, and is reprehensible and contrary to the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention as well as accepted international norms. 

He commended the OPCW for its prompt deployment of the Fact Finding Mission to Douma and expressed appreciation to the Director General and OPCW staff for their commitment to the aims and work of the organization often in challenging circumstances.

Full text of the Ambassador’s statement to the special session of the EC of OPCW is below.

Statement by

Ambassador Venu Rajamony,

Permanent Representative of India to the OPCW

at the 58th Meeting of the Executive Council,

16 April 2018

Thank you, Mr. Chairman for giving me the floor.

  My delegation would like to thank the Director General for his statement on the deployment of FFM to Douma, Syrian Arab Republic. We commend the prompt deployment of FFM to Douma. We express our appreciation to the Director General and OPCW staff for their commitment to the aims and work of the organization often in challenging circumstances.

  The alleged use of chemical weapons, if true, is deplorable. We call for an impartial and objective investigation by the OPCW. Any use of chemical weapons is in complete disregard of humanity, and is reprehensible and contrary to the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention as well as accepted international norms. It has been India’s consistent position that the use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anybody, under any circumstances, cannot be justified and the perpetrators of such abhorrent acts must be held accountable.

  I request that this Statement be circulated as an official document of this session and posted on the OPCW’s public website.

  Thank you.

Irine Parimanam
Media Officer