Joint Investigative Mechanism for Syria Visits Germany, Iran

NEW YORK, 22 April (Joint Investigative Mechanism) — The Leadership Panel of the Joint Investigative Mechanism, mandated to identify those responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria, pursuant to Security Council resolution 2235 (2015), completed visits to Berlin and Tehran.  During their visit, the Panel, led by Virginia Gamba, met with the host Governments to discuss cooperation in support of the Mechanism’s mandate.

In March, the Mechanism began its second phase of work by conducting in-depth investigations into the identified cases.  The investigative teams are looking at non-Fact-Finding-Mission information, including information provided by respective Member States.  Their continued collaboration is of utmost importance to the investigation.

Further visits to Member States, especially those in the region, are expected by the Mechanism’s Leadership Panel to brief on the work of the Mechanism and to receive relevant information from Member States.  Similarly, the investigative team will continue to conduct technical visits to the region.

The mandate of the Joint Investigative Mechanism is to identify to the greatest extent feasible individuals, entities, groups or Governments who were perpetrators, organizers, sponsors or otherwise involved in the use of chemicals as weapons, including chlorine or any other toxic chemical, in the Syrian Arab Republic.