Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC)

There are a few significant exceptions, but many compounds that have been heavily utilized in warfare but have multiple large-scale industrial uses are heavily regulated. Despite being a very poisonous substance, chlorine gas is not legally classified as a chemical weapon because it is a pure element and is frequently utilized for peaceful purposes. Such compounds are still often produced and used in wartime armaments by some states.

Although the CWC does not specifically designate these substances as regulated, the use of any hazardous substance as a weapon is prohibited by the treaty in and of itself. Some substances, like white phosphorus, are extremely poisonous but are acceptable under the CWC when used by military forces for purposes unrelated to their toxicity.

What is Chemical Weapon?

A CW is typically thought of as a poisonous chemical that is delivered by a bomb or artillery shell. While theoretically valid, a definition based on this understanding would only cover a small percentage of the variety of items the CWC outlaws as 'chemical weapons'.

CWs can take many forms, including, but not limited to −

• Chemical weapons that are fully developed and their components when kept apart are stored separately (e.g. binary munitions).

• Substances used to make chemical weapons (precursors).

• Chemicals that are intentionally employed to injure or kill.

• Things used or planned for use with chemical weapons but has harmless civilian purposes (dual-use items).

• Weapons and equipment designed to deliver harmful chemicals.

• Equipment directly related to the weapons and machinery listed above.

Chemical weapon definition in three parts −

Toxic chemicals

'Any substance that, through its chemical influence on life processes, can cause death, temporary incapacitation, or permanent injury to humans or animals' is the definition of a toxic chemical.

• This covers all such chemicals, regardless of where they come from, how they were made, or whether they were made in factories, weapons, or somewhere else.

• Chemicals used to make dangerous substances are known as "precursors."

Equipment ‘directly in connection’ with munitions and devices

Anything that has been specially created to be used "directly in connection" with the use of the weapons and apparatus classified as chemical weapons.

Munitions or devices

Any weapons or equipment that is particularly made to hurt or kill people by releasing hazardous chemicals.

They might include spray tanks, missiles, bombs, artillery shells, mortars, and bombs.

What is CWC?

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), an intergovernmental organization with its headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands, is in charge of enforcing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), officially known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction.

• The deal came into effect on April 29, 1997, and it forbids the creation, manufacturing, stockpiling, transfer, and widespread use of chemical weapons and their precursors, save for extremely specific circumstances (research, medical, pharmaceutical, or protective).

• The convention's primary requirement for member states is to implement this prohibition and the eradication of all chemical weapons in use today. Every act of destruction must be verified by the OPCW.

Function of CWC

Chemical Weapons Convention have some functions as stated below −

• It has the right to conduct inspections to make sure signatory nations are abiding by the agreement.

  This includes a promise to give inspectors complete access to locations where chemical weapons are stored.

• Also, it conducts tests on suspected chemical weapons attack sites and casualties.

• Also, it offers protection and support to nations under attack or chemical danger, as well as cooperation in the peaceful use of chemicals.

CWC Prohibition

Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits

• The creation, manufacture, purchase, stockpiling, or retention of chemical weapons.

• Movement of chemical weapons.

• Using chemical warfare methods.

• Assistance in engaging in actions that the CWC forbids on the part of other States.

• 'Warfare methods' that involve the use of riot control equipment.

Organization of CWC

There are some organizations for prohibition of chemical weapons −

• It is an international body created by the CWC in 1997 to carry out and uphold the CWC's provisions.

• According to the 2001 Partnership Agreement between the OPCW and the UN, the UN receives reports on the OPCW's inspections and other activities via the Secretary General's office.

• In 2013, the OPCW received the Nobel Peace Prize.

History of CWC

The CWC augments the Geneva Protocol of 1925, which bans the use but not the development or possession of chemical and biological weapons. The CWC also includes extensive verification measures such as on-site inspections, in stark contrast to the 1975 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), which lacks a verification regime.

After several changes of name and composition, the ENDC evolved into the Conference on Disarmament (CD) in 1984.

• On September 3, 1992, the CD submitted to the U.N. General Assembly its annual report, which contained the text of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

• The General Assembly approved the convention on November 30, 1992, and the U.N. Secretary-General then opened the convention for signature in Paris on January 13, 1993.

• The CWC remained open for signature until its entry into force on April 29, 1997, 180 days after Hungary's deposit at the UN of the 65th instrument of ratification.

Conclusion

The Convention forbids States Parties from developing, manufacturing, acquiring, storing, retaining, transferring, or using chemical weapons, with the goal of eradicating an entire class of WMDs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do chemical weapons affect the environment?

Ans. These chemical and nuclear weapons have been demonstrated to be incredibly successful in eliminating the enemy, but their usage also causes severe harm to any organic life in the vicinity. Even years after its original use, mustard gas can still be extremely hazardous and contaminate the land.

Q2. What is the purpose of chemical weapons?

Ans. Chemicals are utilized as weapons when they are used to intentionally kill or hurt people. Chemical weapons also include weapons, devices, and other apparatus created particularly to weaponize poisonous substances.

Q3. Should chemical weapons be banned?

Ans. After World War 1, the world community outlawed the use of chemical and biological weapons. This ban was then strengthened in 1972 and 1993 by further laws that forbade the creation, storage, and transfer of such weapons

Q4. Has India signed Chemical Weapons Convention?

Ans. India is a signatory party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) with Head Quarters at The Hague, Netherlands.

Q5. How can we protect against chemical weapons?

Ans. Individual protection supplied by gas masks and protective equipment as well as collective protection given by combat vehicles and mobile or fixed shelters are the first and most crucial lines of defense against chemical agents.

Q6. How effective is the Chemical Weapons Convention?

Ans. The Convention has been the most effective disarmament treaty at eradicating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction since it entered into force in 1997 and has 192 States Parties.