UN Calls for Bringing Al-Assad Regime to Justice in Chemical Attacks

NEW York, MINA NA) — Director and Deputy High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Thomas Markram said the UN Security council received reports that no less than 49 people were killed in chemical attacks in Syria, KUNA reported.

During the Security Council (UNSC)’s urgent session on Syria late Monday, Markram said the UN received the reports less than a week ago in cooperation with an investigation team from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The reports showed that hundreds were injured in the recent attacks, among them were 500 who developed signs and symptoms of chemical attacks, he added.

He noted that UNSC must exert further efforts to to prevent the use or spread of chemical weapons and bring those involved to justice.

Anyone who keeps silent against such crimes is agreeing to the killing of civilians, he affirmed.

On his part, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN Van Oosterom said he was among the nine members who called for an urgent meeting on Syria. He noted that escaping punishment is not an option here, adding that the council will not tolerate anyone who violate the international law.

He also called for establishing a joint investigation committee on crimes against civilians in Syria and refer the case to the International Court of Justice.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley affirmed that the UNSC had failed to move forward with investigations and taking measures against the Al-Assad’s regime as Russia keeps using veto on the case. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)