Finland condemns chemical attack in Syria

President Sauli Niinistö and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy on Friday discussed the recent events in Syria and strongly condemned the attack in the village of Khan Shaykhun in southern Idlib on 4 April, where chemical weapons caused extensive damage, said an official press release.

The use of chemical weapons is prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), to which Syria is also a party. It is essential to investigate thoroughly into the event and to verify the information. The inspectors of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) must be guaranteed free and safe access to the victims and the site without delay, and the Syrian administration must offer full cooperation to the investigation so that all the details of the event become clear and the perpetrators are brought to justice. Finland is prepared to support the OPCW investigations.

The United States considers that it has been able to establish a connection between the target of its missile strike and the use of chemical weapons. The targeted air strike on military targets in Syria made by the US on 7 April was thus based on the existence of chemical weapons in the area.

Finland stresses the role of the UN Security Council and considers that its permanent member states have a particular responsibility for the actions and bringing the perpetrators to justice. The violence and human suffering that persist in Syria must be brought to an end. It is important to work for a ceasefire and continue with the UN-led political negotiations to achieve sustainable peace.

Finland has provided humanitarian aid to Syria, supported mine clearing, participated in analysis and destruction of chemical weapons, and co-financed the UN accountability mechanism to bring those responsible to justice. Finland is prepared to continue with providing humanitarian aid to Syria as well as to support a resolution to the conflict, and to work actively for implementing the prohibition on the use of chemical weapons.