Damascus, May 30 (SANA) Syrian lawyer Ammar Ezzeddin affirmed that the chemical weapons file from the era of the deposed regime must be an integral part of transitional justice, stressing that victims and their families have the right to know the truth, open the door to accountability, pursue all those involved in the use of these weapons, and obtain compensation covering both material and moral damage.
In an exclusive statement to SANA, Ezzeddin noted that the chemical ammunition and the materials used in the production of sarin gas, which were recently discovered, represent a complementary element to investigations into the structure of the deposed regime’s chemical program and reveal the chain of responsibility within it.
He explained that the nature of these materials confirms the existence of a command and control chain extending to the highest military and political levels, making accountability comprehensive across the entire system: from the military officers who issued orders, to the politicians who provided cover, to the technicians who carried out the manufacturing processes, to the companies that cooperated with the regime despite international sanctions, and the companies that supplied those entities with raw materials.
Hexamine: the chemical fingerprint of the Ghouta and Ltamenah attacks
Ezzeddin argued that these developments contribute to building criminal responsibility and proving the common criminal project and the responsibility of leaders for grave violations against Syrians, noting that the arrest of a number of officers and experts is of particular importance, as it helps uncover documents and physical evidence, most notably the materials used in the bombs dropped on civilians, especially hexamine, which is considered a “chemical fingerprint” linked to the formula adopted by the ousted regime in producing sarin during the Ghouta and Ltamenah attacks.
He added that the government’s cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), including recognition of the investigation team’s mandate and identification, constitutes a positive step toward transparency and strengthening trust with the international community, reflecting the state’s commitment to destroying the deposed regime’s stockpile of chemical weapons and complying with the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013.
He noted that this cooperation also supports efforts to dismantle the remnants of the chemical program, such as ammunition and chemical components, which reinforces the state’s approach to protecting human rights and helps restore international confidence in Syria.
Compensating victims of chemical attacks
Ezzeddin stressed the need to include the chemical weapons file within the mandate of transitional justice mechanisms, which are based on four main pillars: uncovering the truth by removing the crime from the realm of narratives after years of denial and enabling victims to know what happened; accountability through pursuing all those responsible for violations; and compensating victims through programs that include material and moral compensation and medical care for survivors.
He considered that continued cooperation with the OPCW is essential to train Syrian cadres to deal with the remnants of the chemical program, collect evidence, and supervise destruction operations, in addition to enacting laws that prohibit the import of materials that could be used to manufacture chemical weapons. He also called for training specialists capable of detecting materials that may be smuggled into Syria by parties seeking to destabilize the country.
Ezzeddin affirmed that the new Syrian state is working to improve the human rights situation and build trust with the international community, and has succeeded in a short period in strengthening this trust, as reflected in the lifting of sanctions and the provision of support to Syria in various fields. He stressed that Syria is moving toward regaining its international standing as a state that protects human rights and their dignity, the very goals that Syrians fought for during the years of the revolution.
KhA
