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The European Union said Wednesday it is ready to consider additional restrictive measures following a report by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons linking Syrian government forces to a 2016 chemical weapons attack.
In a statement, EU Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said the OPCW report, released Jan. 20, found “reasonable grounds to believe” that a military helicopter dropped a cylinder containing chlorine gas on the town of Kafr Zeita on Oct. 1, 2016.
According to the report, the attack injured 35 identified individuals and affected dozens of others.
“The European Union strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons by anyone, be it a state or a non-state actor, anywhere, at any time, and under any circumstances,” El Anouni said, adding that such acts constitute serious violations of international law and may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The EU welcomed cooperation by Syria’s transitional authorities with the investigation and praised the OPCW’s Investigation and Identification
Team for what it described as professional and independent work.
El Anouni said the findings represent an important contribution to efforts to end impunity for chemical weapons use in Syria and beyond.
He added that the EU remains committed to supporting the OPCW politically and financially to ensure accountability for those responsible.
The EU has already imposed restrictive measures on officials and scientists linked to the regime of Bashar Assad over their roles in the development and use of chemical weapons.
“In light of the new report, the European Union is ready to consider introducing further measures as appropriate,” El Anouni said.
He concluded by expressing the bloc’s full confidence in the objectivity, impartiality and independence of the OPCW.
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