President Radi,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen.
There can be no reason or circumstance which would justify the use of chemical weapons anywhere. The use of chemical weapons anywhere in the world constitutes a threat to international peace and security and is a threat that confronts us all. South Africa is a signatory to the Convention on Chemical Weapons.
We have said no to the production, proliferation, the use and no to the stock piling of nuclear and chemical weapons. We have and we continue to support a total ban on nuclear and chemical weapons. We do so with the understanding that the proliferation and use of Weapons of Mass Destruction pose a threat to all the people of the world and to all of humanity.
We were deeply saddened and joined the international community in condemning the killing of innocent civilians, men, women and children that resulted from the indiscriminate use of chemical weapons. The resolution adopted by the Security Council recently is welcomed and is the first hopeful news to emerge on Syria for a long time.
We welcome Syria’s accession to the Convention on Chemical Weapons. The Syrian government’s compliance with the first steps under the Convention is encouraging. We wish to emphasise that the only solution to the current crisis in Syria is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process based on the Geneva Communiqué of 30 June 2012.
This august Assembly should once more call on all parties to engage seriously and constructively towards the achievement of stability and reconciliation in the interest of the people of Syria and the region as a whole.
The United Nations Security Council should also use its powers to focus its attention on the dire humanitarian situation and the political crisis in Syria. We call on regional stakeholders to challenge those who seek to undermine the process underway. Side by side with our governments, parliaments must use their voice to raise awareness about the catastrophic consequences of the continued blood bath and use of chemical weapons.
Parliaments have a crucial role to play in not only ratifying international agreements but ensuring that our governments implement and comply with the obligations arising from these agreements. We must therefore ensure that we build the capacity of our parliaments to monitor the implementation of International Treaties, and observance of agreed upon peace processes.
Parliament must also ensure that international agreements such as the Convention on Chemical Weapons are domesticated and translated into national legislation.
In this regard, the South African parliament passed legislation which provides for the control of weapons of mass destruction and the establishment of a National Council to control and manage all activities relating to non-proliferation. This Council submits an annual report on its activities for Parliament’s consideration.
The destruction of chemical weapons should not end with Syria. This is an opportunity for others who have not signed the UN convention to do so and those who are guilty of stockpiling to destroy such harmful weapons.
There cannot be any rationale for producing these weapons which has the potential to destroy our world. All of us have a duty to preserve our world, for now and for generations to come.
I thank you!
