Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
A European statement issued in Brussels by the office of Josep Borrell, the foreign and security policy coordinator, said that a few days ago, specifically on February 22, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) issued a report in which it found that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS)/ISIS was responsible for a weapons attack. Chemical attack on September 1, 2015 in the town of Mare’ in the north of the country. Northwestern Syria.
The report concludes that there are reasonable grounds to believe that ISIS units fired artillery munitions containing sulfur mustard at various locations, affecting at least 11 people.
The European Union strongly condemns the use of these heinous weapons.
The use of chemical weapons by anyone – whether a State or a non-State actor – anywhere, at any time and under any circumstances is a violation of international law and may amount to the most serious international crimes – war crimes and crimes against civilians. Humanity.
Impunity for these horrific acts must not be tolerated. It is now up to the international community to take appropriate action.
In light of this new report, the European Union stands ready to consider further measures as appropriate.
As a member of the International Partnership Against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons, the European Union is committed to ensuring full accountability for those responsible for the use of these heinous crimes in Syria and beyond.