UN/OPCW Joint Investigative Mechanism

After years of contested attacks in Syria with different chemical substances, the United Nations finally agreed in August 2015 to a broad investigation into the use of chemical weapons, which ones and by whom.

UN press release, August 7, 2015: Security Council approves probe into those responsible for using chemical weapons in Syria


 * The United Nations Security Council today gave the greenlight for the establishment of a Joint Investigative Mechanism to identify those responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria.


 * In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body requested the UN Secretary-General, in coordination with the Director-General of the Organization 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.

Analysis

 * OPCW: A Site of Struggle for Impartiality, Independence and International Legitimacy in War Crimes Investigations - Tim Hayward, October 5, 2019