Explanation of Vote of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Before the First Committee, UNGA 76
On Draft Resolution L. 10: “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction”
New York, 27 October 2021
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Mr. Chairman,
I have taken the floor to explain the vote of my delegation on draft resolution L.10 on the CWC.
Iran reaffirms its strong support for, and commitment to, the CWC as a unique multilateral agreement that has not only codified and reinforced international norms against chemical weapons but also made remarkable progress in their elimination as well as provided a framework for international cooperation and exchange in scientific and technical information in the field of chemical activities among States parties for peaceful purposes.
On L. 10, It is essential to preserve the CWC’s effectiveness and its implementing institution, the OPCW. In fact, this draft resolution is expected to serve this purpose.
However, unfortunately, it is being used for political ends rather than contributing to the CWC’s implementation. It is being used to highlight controversial issues and deepen divisions among the States Parties rather than moving the States Parties toward consensus.
The draft contributes to further confrontation and polarization among the States Parties rather than uniting them around the main objectives of the CWC. It advocates a particular point of view on issues where opinions differ substantially among the Member States rather than providing a balanced and professional detachment from such positions. It has been drafted in a manner to align with specific political views held only by a group of States Parties, thus polarizing the OPCW and attempting to shape the Technical Secretariat into a political organ rather than a technical implementation body.
The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances. However, condemnation of a State party to the Convention that has extended unprecedented cooperation with the OPCW in destroying its chemical stockpiles in the shortest possible time is not acceptable because the basis of such condemnation lies within unproved assumptions and unsubstantiated claims.
Strict observance of the principles of impartiality and independence, as well as preserving the integrity of the chain of custody, are of the utmost importance in conducting investigations regarding the alleged use of chemical weapons and drawing a reliable professional conclusion. Some of these principles were not observed in preparing related reports. Instead of relying on “authorized information”, conclusions have been based on speculations, assumptions, remote assessments, interviews held with certain people and the receipt of information from open sources and terrorist groups. This seriously undermines the reliability and credibility of the reports and their conclusions.
My delegation will vote against this draft resolution; as a number of its paragraphs are highly politicized. We hope that the politicization of this draft resolution as well as the work of the OPCW will be put to an end, thus enabling the Committee to adopt a consensual resolution on the CWC’s implementation in its future session. To revive the consensual resolution, as in the past, at the only one informal consultation on the draft Iran and some other member states were ready to offered their constructive proposals and using a consensual language, but we didn’t hear any willingness to receive and consider them. Unfortunately, in repetition of previous years, the proposals explained at that informal consultation are not reflected in the draft resolution.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.