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News Section Chemical weapons and international humanitarian law
©ICRC/H. Smith/ref. hist-01941
Burns caused by the use of gas during the Italian invasion of Abyssinia, 1935-36.
The Convention on the prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and on their destruction, of 13 January 1993 (Chemical Weapons Convention - CWC) entered into force on 29 April 1997. This landmark Convention complements and reinforces the 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibiting the use of chemical and biological weapons by also banning the development, production and stockpiling of chemical weapons — as well as their use — and requiring the destruction of existing stockpiles. The 1925 Geneva Protocol was adopted following a dramatic appeal against chemical warfare by the ICRC at the end of the First World War.  Key document4-3-2003 Use of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons: current international law and policy statementsInformation note to Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies about the ICRC position (Humanitarian law\Weapons) 31-1-2003 1993 Chemical Weapons ConventionFact sheet describing the obligations of States regarding the national implementation of the norms contained in this particular instrument of international humanitarian law. (Humanitarian law\National implementation\Publications\Fact sheets) Fact Sheet Includes PDF International Review of the Red Cross30-6-2009 International assistance for victims of use of nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical weapons: time for a reality check?At an international level, there are no plans for assisting the victims of a nuclear, radiological, biological or chemical (NRBC) event which are both adequate and safe. This article examines the challenges posed to humanitarian organisations in developing and deploying any capacity to assist victims of an NRBC event, including in terms of the health and security of their personnel bringing this assistance. (Info resources\International Review\2009 - No. 874) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF 30-6-2007 Who will assist the victims of use of nuclear, radiological, biological or chemical weapons – and how?It is uncertain who will assist the victims of use of nuclear, radiological, biological or chemical weapons if an international response is required and how this assistance can be provided without undue risk to those providing it. The use of such weapons presents a variety of risks and the political and security implications are serious and complex. This article shows the difficulties inherent in assisting the victims of use of nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical weapons. (Info resources\International Review\2007 - No. 866) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF 30-9-2005 The meaning of Moscow: "Non-lethal" weapons and international law in the early 21st centuryThis article analyses the relationship between "non-lethal" weapons and international law in the early 21st century by focusing on the most seminal incident to date in the short history of the "non-lethal" weapons debate, the use of an incapacitating chemical to end a terrorist attack on a Moscow theatre in October 2002.
(Info resources\International Review\2005 - No. 859) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF 30-6-2003 First Special Session of the Conference of the States Parties to Review the Operation of the Chemical Weapons ConventionThe Hague 28 April - 9 May 2003
Statement of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva (Info resources\International Review\2003 - No. 850) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF Official Statement11-12-2006 Functional Perspective on the Biological Weapons Convention and
Chemical Weapons ConventionPresentation by the International Committee of the Red Cross, Special meeting on combating the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, their delivery systems, and related materials, Permanent Council of the Organization of American States Committee on hemispheric security, Washington, 11 December 2006 (Humanitarian law\National implementation\Topics\Weapons) Official Statement 10-6-2005 Preventing the use of biological and chemical weapons: 80 years onSpeech delivered by Jacques Forster, vice-president of the ICRC, during the International seminar on the Biological and Chemical Weapons Threat, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibiting asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases.
and bacteriological methods of warfare. (Humanitarian law\Weapons\Chemical weapons) Official Statement 8-2-1918 World War I: the ICRC's appeal against the use of poisonous gasesFull text of the appeal to the belligerents, issued by the International Committee on 8 February 1918. (About the ICRC\History\First World War) Official statement Press article20-7-2005 Science and Prohibited WeaponsThis article is published with the kind permission of Science Magazine, where it first appeared on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the 1925 gas Protocol. (Focus\Biotechnology and weapons) Press article Other site23-5-2005 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons entered into force on 29 April 1997. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was created under the Convention to ensure the implementation of its provisions and to provide a forum for consultation and co-operation. (Info resources\Other sites\International law) Other site 23-5-2005 Harvard Sussex Program (HSP) on chemical and biological warfare armament and arms limitationHSP is an inter-university collaboration for research, communication and training in support of informed public policy regarding chemical/biological warfare (CBW). The Program links research groups at Harvard University and the University of Sussex. HSP seeks the global elimination of CBW weapons and the strengthening of constraints against hostile use of biotechnologies. (Info resources\Other sites\Institutes and universities) Other site  |
