syria-un-20171121 3

S/2017/980 17-20712 3/15 Enclosure [Original: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish] Note by the Technical Secretariat Summary update of the activities carried out by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons fact-finding mission in the Syrian Arab Republic in 2017 INTRODUCTION 1. In accordance with Executive Council (hereinafter “the Council”) decisions EC-M-48/DEC.1 (dated 4 February 2015) and EC-M-50/DEC.1 (dated 23 November 2015), as well as with United Nations Security Council resolution 2209 (2015), the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) has continued to study all available information relating to allegations of use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic, including that provided by the Syrian Arab Republic as well as by others. 2. This summary provides an update on the FFM’s activities in 2017, in accordance with the aforementioned Council decisions, as well as United Nations Security Council resolution 2209 (2015). METHODOLOGY RELATED TO THE COLLECTION AND EVALUATION OF INFORMATION 3. As recommended by the Council, the FFM has collected and studied all available information related to allegations of the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic. This includes information provided by States Parties including notes verbales from the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as other sources. 4. For each allegation of use, the Information Cell of the Technical Secretariat (hereinafter “the Secretariat”) conducts an initial evaluation of the incident based on available information. Subsequently, the FFM conducts a more detailed evaluation, based on all available information. Each incident is then categorised using the following criteria: (a) High: There is significant information consistent with the use of chemicals as weapons. (b) Medium: There is some information lending credence to the possibility of the use of chemicals, but it is currently insufficient to make a confident assessment of consistency with the use of chemicals as weapons. (c) Low: There is no or little available information, or the information available suggests a low likelihood of the use of chemicals as weapons. 5. Initial assessments may alter over time as more information becomes available. 6. The FFM applies a number of methods of evaluation, including, but not limited to: (a) research into the incidents and existing reports; (b) assessment and corroboration of background information; (c) meetings or interviews with potential witnesses, either in person or using remote technology