Key facts
- Syria's voting rights at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were restored.
- The OPCW cited a 'significant change in circumstances' following the fall of the Assad regime.
- Syria's voting rights were revoked in 2021 after its forces were found to have used nerve agent sarin and chlorine gas.
- The new Syrian government has committed to cooperating with the OPCW to destroy chemical weapons.
- OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias stated the decision marks progress in eliminating weapons associated with the former Syrian government.
Member states of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reinstated Syria's voting rights on Thursday, citing a significant change in circumstances following the fall of the Assad regime. Syria had its voting rights stripped in 2021 after its forces were found to have repeatedly used poison gas during the civil war, a breach of the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention. The OPCW stated that the new Syrian authorities have committed to fulfilling Syria's obligations under the Convention and have taken concrete steps to cooperate towards destroying the chemical weapons stockpile. The watchdog's Director-General Fernando Arias welcomed the decision as a milestone in efforts to eliminate weapons associated with the former Syrian government. Syria's foreign ministry welcomed the decision, reflecting confidence in the country's transformation and its institutions' efforts to meet commitments. The post-Assad government has allowed OPCW inspectors to establish a permanent presence to document suspected chemical weapons sites and interview witnesses.