UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council on Friday approved a measure for the establishment of a joint investigative mechanism to identify those responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

Both United States and Russia worked on the resolution before it was presented to the fifteen member council in an effort to eliminate chemical weapons.

The draft resolution fills a gap in assigning blame for chemical weapons attacks so the perpetrators can be brought to justice.

The vote came just two days after US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reached agreement on the final text of the resolution. None of the 13 other council members raised objections.

The 15-member body requested the UN Secretary-General, in coordination with the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), to submit recommendations for the establishment of the mechanism within 20 days. The council will then respond to the recommendations within five days of receipt.

The mechanism, established for a period of one year with a possibility of future extension, will be tasked with identifying “individuals, entities, groups, or governments involved in the use of chemicals as weapons, including chlorine or any other toxic chemical,” in Syria, according to the council, which reiterated that those responsible must be held accountable.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the adoption of the resolution, noting that holding the perpetrators of the toxic chemical attacks accountable may hopefully alleviate the prolonged suffering of the Syrian people.

“He is pleased that the Security Council has decided to act and take the necessary action not just to halt the continued use of toxic chemicals as weapons by any party to the conflict, but also to send a strong collective message that any such use will not be tolerated,” said the statement.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play