WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today released the following statement regarding the recent report that Syria’s most deadly reported chemical weapons had been neutralized aboard the MV Cape Ray.

“Yesterday, the United States government announced that Syria’s most deadly declared chemical weapons have been destroyed.  Destruction of these weapons is a critical step in protecting the Syrian people,” said Senator Cardin. “However, we cannot forget that just one year ago, 1,000 innocent Syrians were ruthlessly killed in a chemical weapons attack orchestrated by the Assad regime. The United States can no longer allow the gross violation of human rights in Syria go unchallenged. 

“For this reason, I, along with Senator Rubio and Senator Kaine, introduced legislation establishing a Syria-specific standard of reporting and accountability for crimes against humanity. The bill would require the U.S. Department of State to report to relevant congressional committees on war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria. This legislation sends a strong message to the international community that the United States remains firmly committed to bringing all perpetrators of international crimes in Syria to justice. Shedding light on the atrocities in Syria is critical to prosecuting human rights abusers.”  

###