Russia urges UN to offer proof on Syria chlorine case

Russia says the United Nations cannot use force or impose sanctions against the warring sides in Syria for using chlorine gas without providing any proof.

On Friday, Russia's Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin (pictured below) said the international body needs to offer proof about the use of chlorine gas in the Syrian conflict before taking measures under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.

Earlier in the day, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution denouncing the use of chlorine gas in the Arab country.

The resolution did not apportion blame on any side for the chemical attacks, but threatened to take actions under the UN’s Chapter 7 in case of further violations.

According to the resolution, the Security Council "decides in the event of future non-compliance... to impose measures under chapter 7" of the UN Charter.

Out of the UNSC’s 15 member states, 14 approved the resolution. Venezuela was the only country which abstained, citing lack of evidence for the case.

"An investigation should first be concluded in order to determine the responsibility of those who perpetrated such an abominable act," said Venezuela's UN Ambassador Rafael Ramirez (shown above).

Chapter 7 allows the UNSC to slap sanctions and use military force “to maintain or restore international peace and security” if it determines “the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression.”

Syria’s reaction

The Syrian envoy to the UN lashed out at certain Western countries for their attempts to blame chlorine attacks on the Syrian government, saying Takfiri terrorists were behind the cruel offensives.

"The Syrian government has nothing to hide," said Bashar Ja'afari after the UNSC meeting, adding, "These people [terrorists] are like hyenas. The more they kill, the more they are hungry."

Syria has been grappling with a deadly crisis since March 2011. The violence fueled by Takfiri groups has so far claimed the lives of over 210,000 people, according to reports. New figures show that over 76,000 people, including thousands of children, lost their lives in Syria last year.

Over 7.2 million Syrians have reportedly become internally displaced due to the ongoing crisis.

The Takfiri terrorist group, with members from several Western countries, controls swathes of land in Syria and Iraq, and has been carrying out horrific acts of violence such as public decapitations and crucifixions against all communities such as Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, and Christians.

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