Sabine Daulieu, Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, visited the Martyrs Cemetery in Zamalka, in the Damascus countryside, on Wednesday, where she met with relatives of the martyrs and survivors of the massacre committed by the ousted regime in the city in 2013, and listened to their testimonies about what they went through. She was accompanied on this visit by Syria’s Permanent Representative to the Organisation, Mohammad Katoub.
Katoub emphasized in a statement to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) the importance of this visit, as it reflects a new approach within the Organisation, viewing victims as an essential part of addressing the legacy of chemical weapons left by the ousted regime, rather than treating it merely as a security file dealing with weapon remnants. He pointed out that victims should be the cornerstone and compass for any action in this file.
The Syrian representative explained that the victims expressed their hope that Daulieu would convey the voices of those affected by the massacre to the international community to play its role and hold the ousted regime accountable for its crimes. He stressed the importance of this meeting, noting that she will lead the Organisation, which comprises 193 states, for the next four years, and highlighted that this visit carries significant symbolism as it is the first time an Organisation director has met with victims in Syria.
Katoub added that the meeting between the Director and the victims could change the Organisation’s approach to the file and may reflect in measures to support victims, who expressed the necessity of changing the Organisation’s mechanisms and expanding its activities. He praised the visit for sending a message that the Organisation has begun to deal with the Syrian file differently, as a matter of justice, accountability, and vindication for the victims.
Regarding next steps, Katoub stated that the path is long and that the points discussed with Syrian ministers focus on supporting national accountability tracks and pursuing those involved, in addition to establishing a clear timeline for the elimination of remnants and information sharing. This step reflects the support of the Organisation’s Executive Council for restoring the rights and privileges of the Syrian Arab Republic under the Convention.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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