"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Haiti following with interest and concern the development of the situation in the Middle East, especially the Syrian crisis is in its eighteenth month of deadly climbs, with a lot of civilian casualties, of refugees and the possibility of the conflict spreading to other neighboring countries, threatening the delicate balance in the region.

The Chancellery deplores and strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons by any party whatsoever in this conflict, which, in all likelihood, would have resulted in thousands of civilian victims, including children.

The Ministry recalls that the Geneva Protocol of 1925, which is part of customary international law, prohibits the use of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases and of bacteriological methods in a war situation. All parties are required to comply strictly with the terms and provisions of this Protocol.

Haitian Chancellery therefore expresses its deep concern at the situation and urges the parties to exercise the utmost restraint.

The Republic of Haiti continue to consult with its partners in the international community, the United Nations and friendly powers, in order to explore the best ways to contribute as soon as possible to resolve this crisis that has lasted too long."

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The Geneva Protocol of 1925 that prohibits the use of "asphyxiating, poisonous or other" was ratified in 1968 by the Syrian Arab Republic. But according to the UN website "It does not prohibit the use of [chemical weapons] in situations other than war", which may therefore be subject to conflicting interpretations. Unlike the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (CWC), signed in Paris in 1993 and entered into force in 1997 which completely prohibits "the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons." Convention that 6 countries have refused to ratify, including among others: Syria, Egypt and North Korea...

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre