TPM and SCWVS attended 22nd Conference of the States Parties (CSP22) to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) which was held by Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) at The Hague from November 27 to December 1, 2017.

“The Scent of Almond” art exhibition, a collection of 18 artworks by 18 young Iranian artists, with a focus on the consequences of the use of CW and peaceful activities of CW survivors was held by TPM and Online Art Gallery in sideline to the conference and was welcomed by delegations and other participants.

“This exhibition can be the first step towards emphasizing on the importance of remembrance of Iranian victims of CW as well raising awareness among people.” said Dr. Alireza Jahangiri, the ambassador of Iran at The Hague and permanent representative of Iran at OPCW. Dr. Gholamhossein Dehghani Director-General for Political and International Security Affairs of Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs; OPCW Director General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü; Elected OPCW Director General, Ambassador Fernando Arias; Dr Alastair Hay and Dr. Robert Mathews, both winners of OPCW- The Hague Award (in 2016 and 2015) as well as many other delegates, NGO members and other participants visited this exhibition.

“The Skin than Burns”, a film by Narges Bajoghli, which narrates the lives of the victims of chemical weapons, especially veteran Ahmad Salimi, volunteer guide of TPM, was screened as a side event of the conference, with the support of Embassy of Iran at the Hague as well as the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs of Iran.

TPM’s statement was read during the plenary session of CSP22 as member of CWC Coalition (CWCC). In this statement, Mr. Ali Jalali Farahani, a survivor of chemical weapons and volunteer guide of TPM addressed the delegations and said: “…Thinking about all the wonderful moments I have had at TPM, raising awareness about CW … fills me with pride. … I wish you can also do the best in your power, so you would have the same feeling as me at the end of your work!”

During the Open Forum of CWCC, a presentation was delivered in order to introduce TPM and its various activities including giving information on the use of CW against Iran to visitors, educational programs and workshops, art for peace and international exchanges.
Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare was observed by OPCW on 30 November in which OPCW Director General, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Deputy Mayor of The Hague gave their speeches. The event was followed by musical interlude and was concluded by wreath-laying at Memorial Site of Victims of CW and one minute of Silence.

Winners of OPCW – The Hague Award in 2017, International Master Courses in Protection Against CBRNe Events at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and The African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT), received their award on November 27th.

For More information on the film “Skin that Burns” you can refer to its website here. To read TPM’s statement for CSP22 please click here, to watch the video of reading TPM’s statement please click here and to see the photos of the conference please click here.