Latest news with #OPCW
Scoop
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
UN Hails New Era Of Cooperation Over Syria's Chemical Weapons Stockpile
5 June 2025 However, serious concerns remain over potential undeclared stockpiles and more than a decade of incomplete or inconsistent disclosures by Syria, raising doubts about full compliance. Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council on Wednesday, Izumi Nakamitsu, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, said that recent missions by the international chemical weapons watchdog (OPCW) had made 'meaningful progress' toward verifying the full extent of Syria's suspected arsenal – a process long hindered by lack of access under the previous regime. Transparent cooperation Two OPCW deployments took place in March and April, with inspectors visiting a dozen sites in and around Damascus, including key facilities of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) – long believed to be central to Syria's weapons programme. During the April visit, samples were collected for laboratory analysis and experts met with newly appointed Syrian officials, including the new Director-General of the SSRC. 'For both deployments, the interim Syrian authorities extended all necessary support for the OPCW team's activities,' Ms. Nakamitsu said, noting that this included full access to sites and personnel, security escorts and issuance of visas. 'The commitment of the new authorities in Syria to fully and transparently cooperate with the OPCW Technical Secretariat is commendable.' Challenges remain Nevertheless, challenges remain. Of the 26 issues originally flagged by the OPCW regarding Syria's 2013 chemical weapons declaration, 19 are still unresolved – including potentially undeclared chemical agents and munitions, which remain matters of 'serious concern,' according to the watchdog. Resolution 2118, adopted unanimously by the Security Council following a deadly sarin gas attack in Ghouta, requires Syria to fully declare and destroy all chemical weapons under international supervision. The Ghouta chemical attack occurred on 21 August 2013, when rockets filled with a nerve agent struck the eastern suburb of Damascus, reportedly killing more than 1,000 people, including hundreds of children. A UN investigation confirmed that sarin gas was used in the attack. Despite joining the Chemical Weapons Convention that year, the Assad regime – which was toppled last December – made 20 amendments to its initial declaration without satisfying OPCW verification standards. Difficult road ahead Ms. Nakamitsu urged Security Council members to unite over the Syria dossier, emphasising that long-term disarmament and non-proliferation there would require additional international support and resources. 'The work ahead will not be easy,' she said, noting the need for training and equipment support to prevent the reemergence of chemical weapons and to enable the national authorities to investigate chemical weapons issues effectively. ' The United Nations stands ready to support and will continue to do our part to uphold the norm against the use of chemical weapons – anywhere, at any time. '
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EU imposes sanctions on Russian military for chemical weapons violations in Ukraine
The European Union has imposed sanctions on three Russian military units involved in developing and deploying chemical weapons in Moscow's war of aggression against Ukraine. Source: Council of the EU in an official statement, as reported by European Pravda Details: The sanctions target Russia's Radiological Chemical and Biological Defence Troops, the 27th Scientific Centre and the 33rd Central Scientific Research and Testing Institute of Russia's Ministry of Defence, all part of the Russian Armed Forces. EU restrictive measures against the use and proliferation of chemical weapons now apply to 25 individuals and six entities. The appropriate decision was based on reports from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) released in November 2024 and February 2025. The Council noted that these reports confirm the presence of riot control agents, specifically CS (2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile) and related compounds, in samples collected from the war zone in Ukraine. Quote: "Such agents have been used as a method of warfare by Russian forces in Ukraine, in breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which Russia is a State Party." Details: The statement emphasised that Russia has failed to provide a credible explanation for the well-documented use of such substances. Quote: "Considering the seriousness of the situation and to enhance the global norm against the use of chemical weapons, the EU calls for a timely attribution by the OPCW of the proven use of riot control agents as a method of warfare." Background: In October 2024, the United Kingdom announced new sanctions against three Russian entities and one individual due to the Russian military's use of chemical weapons against Ukraine. On 20 May, the EU adopted its 17th sanctions package against Russia since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, targeting nearly 200 vessels in Moscow's shadow fleet and introducing measures to counter hybrid threats and human rights violations. The 18th package of European Union sanctions against Russia, which the EU has started working on, may include restrictions on banks from non-EU countries that support the Russian defence industry and military, in addition to Russian banks. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EU envoys discuss sanctions related to Russia chemical weapons use
By Julia Payne BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission has proposed listing 15 additional new entities and individuals to its sanctions framework on Russian hybrid threats as well as individuals suspected of using chemical weapons in Ukraine, EU sources said on Wednesday. Russia is waging a more than three-year-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The world's chemical weapons watchdog OPCW said in November last year it had found evidence of tear gas use on Ukraine's frontline with Russia without assigning blame. The use of riot-control agents such as tear gas as a method of warfare is prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention, the non-proliferation treaty overseen by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The United States and Ukraine have accused Moscow of violating the convention. The Kremlin has denied these accusations. EU envoys began discussions on a 17th package of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday that focuses on Russia's military machine as well as Moscow's shadow shipping fleet and its support system. These two packages as well as a third set of measures that would add 25 entities and individuals, mainly the latter, suspected of violating human rights were being discussed in parallel. As part of the 17th package, member states are expected to agree to list about 140 new ships, mainly tankers, and 70 entities and individuals over the next week. New listings are initiated by the EU's diplomatic arm, the EEAS, whereas sector-wide sanctions are led by the Commission. Sources said the EU is likely to list major Russian oil company Surgutneftegaz, which Washington targeted in January as part of a sweeping crackdown on Russia's energy trade. (Reporting by Julia Payne; editing by Mark Heinrich, Kirsten Donovan)
Reuters
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
EU envoys discuss sanctions related to Russia chemical weapons use
BRUSSELS, May 7 (Reuters) - The European Commission has proposed listing 15 additional new entities and individuals to its sanctions framework on Russian hybrid threats as well as individuals suspected of using chemical weapons in Ukraine, EU sources said on Wednesday. Russia is waging a more than three-year-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The world's chemical weapons watchdog OPCW said in November last year it had found evidence of tear gas use on Ukraine's frontline with Russia without assigning blame. The use of riot-control agents such as tear gas as a method of warfare is prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention, the non-proliferation treaty overseen by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The United States and Ukraine have accused Moscow of violating the convention. The Kremlin has denied these accusations. EU envoys began discussions on a 17th package of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday that focuses on Russia's military machine as well as Moscow's shadow shipping fleet and its support system. These two packages as well as a third set of measures that would add 25 entities and individuals, mainly the latter, suspected of violating human rights were being discussed in parallel. As part of the 17th package, member states are expected to agree to list about 140 new ships, mainly tankers, and 70 entities and individuals over the next week. New listings are initiated by the EU's diplomatic arm, the EEAS, whereas sector-wide sanctions are led by the Commission. Sources said the EU is likely to list major Russian oil company Surgutneftegaz, which Washington targeted in January as part of a sweeping crackdown on Russia's energy trade.
Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
EU envoys discuss sanctions related to Russia chemical weapons use
FILE PHOTO: The building of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is pictured in The Hague, Netherlands, October 4, 2018. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo BRUSSELS - The European Commission has proposed listing 15 additional new entities and individuals to its sanctions framework on Russian hybrid threats as well as individuals suspected of using chemical weapons in Ukraine, EU sources said on Wednesday. Russia is waging a more than three-year-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The world's chemical weapons watchdog OPCW said in November last year it had found evidence of tear gas use on Ukraine's frontline with Russia without assigning blame. The use of riot-control agents such as tear gas as a method of warfare is prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention, the non-proliferation treaty overseen by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The United States and Ukraine have accused Moscow of violating the convention. The Kremlin has denied these accusations. EU envoys began discussions on a 17th package of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday that focuses on Russia's military machine as well as Moscow's shadow shipping fleet and its support system. These two packages as well as a third set of measures that would add 25 entities and individuals, mainly the latter, suspected of violating human rights were being discussed in parallel. As part of the 17th package, member states are expected to agree to list about 140 new ships, mainly tankers, and 70 entities and individuals over the next week. New listings are initiated by the EU's diplomatic arm, the EEAS, whereas sector-wide sanctions are led by the Commission. Sources said the EU is likely to list major Russian oil company Surgutneftegaz, which Washington targeted in January as part of a sweeping crackdown on Russia's energy trade. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
