'Use of chemical weapons in Mideast serious challenge for international community'

The use of chemical weapons in regional conflicts in the Middle East presents a serious challenge for the international community as well as for the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), an expert on the subject said Thursday.

In this context, Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to take the diplomatic path could help solve the issue through negotiations and could be the best way forward Bhaswati Mukherjee, former permanent representative of India to the OPCW, said.

Verified destruction of chemical weapons facilities by the OPCW would validate its commitment to disarmament and global peace, Mukherjee added while delivering a lecture on "Emerging Challenges to Chemical Weapons Regime" organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) and the Indian Pugwash Society here

Underlining that the Syrian government's role is crucial in facilitating OPCW inspections in the country, Mukherjee emphasized that without Damascus guaranteeing the safety of inspectors, it would be difficult for them to carrying out their work

In the light of the situation unfolding in Syria, she emphasized that it was important to remember that Syria had signed and ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), adding that the OPCW, therefore, has no legal mandate to intervene.

At the same time, Syria has to adhere to UNSC Resolution 1540 that requires state parties to safeguard their WMD stockpiles from falling in the hands of non-state actors.

After the alleged use of chemical weapon in March 2013, several CWC member countries had strongly asked for convening a council meeting and giving directions for investigating the allegations.

The OPCW council expressed deep concerns that chemical weapons may have been used in Syria. It also underlined that the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances would be repressible and contrary to the legal norms and standards of the international community and supported investigation into the matter and called all the parties involved to cooperate fully.

Mukherjee concluded her remarks by stating that the Indian government has welcomed the progress that has been made by the OPCW and extended support to a proposal on international conference on Syria.