Statement delivered by H.E. Mr. Karami Rad, Member of the Parliament of the I.R.of IRAN

Before the Regional Meeting of Representatives of National Authorities and Parliaments in Asia

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 25-26 August 2008 

In The Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished Delegations,

Dear Parliamentarians

On behalf of the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, it’s a great pleasure for me to address this Regional Meeting of Representatives of States Parties to the CWC in Asia. At the outset I would like to warmly thank both the Government of Sri Lanka, and the Technical Secretariat to host and organize this meeting. I am sure that exchanging valuable experiences in the field of full implementation of the Convention will enable this meeting to come to a successful conclusion.

Iran was among the very first signatories of the CWC in Paris and ratified it as early as 1997.  As the last victim of the use of Chemical Warfare, with more than 100.000 victims including women, children, civilian and military, who still suffers from the impacts of these weapons, and me too happened a victim of the CW, we, more than the others stress for the full, effective and non-discriminatory implementation of all provisions of the Convention.

It is truth that we are gathered here to exchange views regarding the implementation of the Article VII, especially to share experiences on national legislation, but we strongly believe that all the Articles of the Convention are interrelated and mutually reinforcing. Given that each and every article of the Convention bears the same value and significance, we believe that full implementation of all articles, in particular, Article XI is also fundamental for the realization of the object and purpose of the Convention and its entirety. 

As a member state, Islamic Republic of Iran, supporting and emphasizing again the position taken in this regard by the NAM on the 2end Review Conference, is of the view that the national implementation necessitates that the States Parties shall take measures to insure free trade in chemicals, as well as exchange of scientific and technical information, equipment and materials in the field of activities not prohibited under the Convention.

Although paragraph 2(e) of the Article XI is considered as one of the indicators of the implementation of Article VII, we are unfortunately witnesses of some limits in some export control regimes incompatible with the obligation undertaken under the Convention. The restrictions among States Parties, which are contrary to the provisions of the Convention, have an affect on the National Implementation of the Convention. We stress that taking double standards in this regard and preferring one Article to the other are against both the letter and spirit of the Convention and discourages its full and effective implementation. All and any discriminatory measures in this regard should be removed.

Giving particular importance and focusing on the Article VII implementation, should in no way interpreted as a changing of the focus of the Convention, but uphold it in its entirety, integrity and balanced implementation of all its provisions.

We the members of the Parliament as the lawmakers are aware to enact the national implementation legislation in a manner to guaranty the object and purpose of the Convention as a whole.

Mr. Chairman, Dear Colleagues,

My country has taken all necessary steps in accordance with the constitutional process, to implement its undertaking under the Convention; the National Authority as early as the entry into force of the Convention has been set up; all initial and annual declarations have been submitted on time. We have also provided all necessary facilities for conduct of inspections by the T.S. 

In the context of the implementation of the Article VII, as well as its Action Plan, certainly, the distinctive character of the State Parties legislative processes should be taken into account and enacting of implementation legislation should be in line with each state party’s constitutional requirements.

Although Iran is considered monist in terms of legal system, the complementary National Legislation Act, which covers all key areas of the convention in particular verification of any prohibited activity, has been forwarded by the ministerial cabinet to the parliament for its final approval.

          Mr. Chairman,

From one hand, Iran appreciates the increase in the number of States Parties and welcomes the progress made in the implementation of Article VII and commends the efforts made both by States Parties and The Technical Secretariat in this context. But from the other hand, allow me to express my concern about the fact that there still remain 11 states not party to the Convention, including unfortunately 6 from Asia, particularly Zionist Regime, that occupied Palestine, which its non adherence is cause for serious concern and excuse for some others in the Middle-East. Unfortunately, some western countries that had role in supplying chemical weapons to the former Iraqi regime still continue to supply Weapons of Mass Destruction to the Zionist regime    

Given that, among States Parties still 7 have yet to designate or establish National Authority, 10% of submissions under Paragraph 5 are still outstanding and more than half of the States Parties      have not yet fully enacted comprehensive implementation legislation, my colleagues in the Iranian Parliament would like to know to what extend States Parties have reviewed their existing regulations in the field of trade in chemicals in order to render them consistent with the object and purpose of the Convention?

We call once again on the States Parties that have not yet done so, to fulfill their obligation, especially with regard to the soonest adoption of National Legislation, covering all indicators and key areas.

In conclusion, I would like to assure this meeting that Parliament of the I.R.IRAN is aware of the importance of full implementation of the Convention and remains ready to accelerate the processes of final approval of the National Legislation Text. I reiterate, as well, our readiness to provide our experiences to the member states and also to cooperate on consultation for Implementation of the Convention in all its aspects.

Thank you, for your kind attention.