For Immediate Release
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), which has a long history documenting and providing expertise on chemical weapons, today congratulated the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for being selected for the Nobel Peace Prize.
“The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is currently tasked with the enormous responsibility of verifying and eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons, which have been used to destroy far too many lives,” said Donna McKay, PHR’s executive director. “The use of chemical weapons is on a long list of war crimes being committed in Syria that have created a truly horrific humanitarian crisis, and demand the world’s attention. OPCW plays a crucial role in helping ensure the ban on chemical weapons, and we hope the prestige and honor of the Nobel Peace Prize helps them carry out this important mission.”
PHR recently made fact sheets on chemical weapons available in English and Arabic in order to help educate and provide guidance for doctors and first responders in Syria. PHR has also been asking the Security Council to refer the Syrian crisis to the International Criminal Court so that perpetrators of war crimes can be held accountable. In Syria, PHR has also documented attacks on medical staff and facilities, which also constitute a war crime.
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a New York-based advocacy organization that uses science and medicine to prevent mass atrocities and severe human rights violations. Learn more here.