Draft UNSC Law on Chemical Weapons in Syria Faces 'Killer Amendments'

Adoption of the draft UN Security Council resolution proposed by Russia and China to counter terrorists' use of chemical weapons in Syria faces "killer" amendments, Russian Envoy to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – Moscow and Beijing submitted the draft resolution “tightening the screw on terrorists preparing to use chemical weapons in Syria” to the UN Security Council on April 13, according to the Russian envoy.

“Some delegations keep introducing killer amendments,” Churkin told reporters on Thursday.

According to Churkin, despite Russia’s calls to adopt the resolution amid fears that terrorists might use chemical weapons in Syria, some parties stalemate. Instead, they prioritize the need to criticize the Syrian government over “lack of clarity about the submission of the Syrian government to OPCW [Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons] institution on the original declaration [on destruction of chemical weapons].”

“They know this is a killer amendment. And they do it,” Churkin added.

A mission to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons was announced after a deadly gas attack that killed hundreds outside Damascus in August 2013.

The Syrian government placed its chemical weapons under international control following pressure from Russia.

On January 4, the OPCW announced that all chemical weapons in Syria have been destroyed. Earlier in April reports emerged about Islamists' use of chemical weapons in the country.