In response to the chemical attack on Douma on 7 April, the United States, United Kingdom and France carried out airstrikes at chemical weapons facilities in Syria on 14 April.
Croatia strongly condemns and considers unacceptable the use of illegal chemical weapons in Syria, as confirmed by the joint investigative mechanism of the OPCW and the UN, which constitutes a gross violation of international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Croatia supports its partners and allies in efforts to prevent any further use of chemical weapons in Syria and protect the civilian population. We consider it crucial to invest further efforts in creating preconditions for the cessation of hostilities and ensuring access to humanitarian aid, and we call for dialogue and for initiating a political process and transition. Syria and its citizens have for more than seven years been subjected to extreme violence and continuous gross violations of international law, human rights and international humanitarian principles.
Croatia will continue to follow developments in Syria and the wider region. We consider it vital to prevent any further use of chemical weapons and ensure the protection of Syrian citizens. In that regard, we support the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission, hopeful that it will be allowed to investigate the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Croatia advocates establishing an independent investigative mechanism within the UN to identify those responsible.