Tehran Peace Museum hosted director-general of the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), dAmbassador Ahmet Üzümcü on July 3, 2017. Dr. Alireza Jahangiri, ambassador of I.R. Iran in the Hague; some chemical weapon victim (CWV) and volunteer guides of TPM; representatives from Sardasht and Halabjah as well as representatives from ministry of foreign affairs were among the guests.

After a tour of the museum presented by CWV, Mr. Asadollah Mohammad, CWV and peace activist, welcomed all the guests and read a message on behalf of the victims. In this message, he congratulated the D.G. and his colleagues for the great achievement of OPCW in eliminating 95% of chemical weapons (CW) stockpiles around the globe and said “we hope that in near future, we will celebrate the elimination of all such stockpiles. ” He also mentioned that Iranian CWV and TPM family are ready for cooperation with OPCW in terms of sharing their personal experiences and contributing to educational programs.

Then a presentation was delivered which elaborated the educational and cultural activities of TPM, with a focus on cooperation of Society for Chemical Weapons Victims Support (SCWVS) and TPM with OPCW and Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Such programs aim to raise awareness about the consequences of violence and to promote a culture of peace.

Mr.Üzümcü condemned the recent use of CW in Syria and Iraq and said that in international community, there is a strong norm against the use of these weapons . He added that perpetrators of chemical attacks should be held accountable for their actions and be punished and the norm against the use of CW should be strengthened.

A TPM’s plaque was presented to Mr.Üzümcü by Ms. Shabnam Sheikhi (CWV from Sardasht) and Dr. Hamid Salehi (CWV and TPM’s board member). Mr. Üzümcü also presented an OPCW medallion to TPM. Mr. Ahmad Salimi, the CWV and volunteer in TPM, played santoor, an Iranian traditional music instrument) for the guests in the next part of the program.

At the end, the delegation along with the guests from Tehran, Sardasht and Halabjah paid tribute to the CWV and survivors in the main square of Parke Shahr and beside the CWV memorial monument.