syria-un-20180410 2

S/2018/175 2/5 18-05671 chemical weapons, including information on any subsequent criminal or other legal proceedings undertaken, Welcoming cooperation between the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the OPCW, Recognizing the need to have a truly impartial, independent, professional and credible investigative mechanism able to identify beyond reasonable doubt facts which may lead to the attribution by the Security Council of the involvement in the use of chemicals as weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic or elsewhere on the basis of credible, verified and corroborated evidence, Expressing concern that informal partnerships established to fight impunity for the use of chemical weapons may duplicate or undermine relevant international inquiry and investigation mechanisms, 1. Reiterates its condemnation in the strongest terms of any use of any toxic chemical as a weapon in the Syrian Arab Republic or elsewhere; 2. Recalls its decision that the Syrian Arab Republic shall not use, develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile or retain chemical weapons, or, transfer, directly or indirectly, chemical weapons to other States or non-State actors; 3. Reiterates that no party in Syria or elsewhere should use, develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, retain, or transfer chemical weapons; 4. Expresses its determination to identify those responsible for these acts and reiterates that those individuals, entities, groups, or governments responsible for any use of chemicals as weapons, including chlorine or any other toxic chemical, must be held accountable, and calls on all parties in the Syrian Arab Republic or elsewhere to extend their full cooperation in this regard; 5. Decides to establish the United Nations Independent Mechanism of Investigation (UNIMI) for a period of one year of the date the Security Council approves its Terms of Reference with a possibility of further extension and update by the Security Council if it deems necessary, urges the UNIMI to fully ensure a truly impartial, independent, professional and credible way to conduct its investigations on the basis of credible, verified and corroborated evidence, collected in the course of on-site visits, and underlines that the Security Council will thoroughly assess the UNIMI’s conclusions; 6. Requests the United Nations Secretary-General, in coordination with the OPCW Director-General, to submit to the Security Council, for its authorization, within 30 days of the adoption of this resolution, recommendations, including elements of Terms of Reference, regarding the establishment and operation of the UNIMI to identify beyond reasonable doubt facts which may lead to the attribution by the Security Council of the involvement in the use of chemicals as weapons, including chlorine or any other toxic chemical, in the Syrian Arab Republic, and expresses its intent to respond to the recommendations, including elements of Terms of Reference, within fifteen days of receipt; 7. Requests further that after the Security Council has authorized the UNIMI that the United Nations Secretary-General, in coordination with the OPCW Director-General, undertake without delay steps, measures, and arrangements necessary for the speedy establishment and full functioning of the UNIMI, including recruiting impartial and experienced staff with relevant skills and expertise in accordance with Terms of Reference in coordination with relevant States, to be endorsed by the Security Council, and notes due regard should be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide of a geographical basis as is practicable