India at the United Nations Security Council urged all the nations to abide by the implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, especially when Ukraine and Russia enter their 24th Day of War.
Indian Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti addressed the UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine crisis. During the conference, Indian ambassador stated the immediate need for all the countries to abide by the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC).
It is very important for the countries at war to understand the consequences of the use of Biological and Chemical Weapons. Moreover, any matter relating to the use of these weapons should be resolved through the consultation and cooperation between the parties.
The need to talk about BTWC comes after the intensifying war between Ukraine and Russia. Both the countries have reached the 24th day of war. The war has intensified each day since it began in February 24. However, Russia is still unable to take over the Ukraine capital Kyiv after so many days, but it has displaced millions of people in Ukraine.
Further, Ukraine accuses that now Ukrainian civilians are on Russia’s radar. Humanitarian crisis are constantly increasing in Ukraine. Thus, the world fears that a war fought with arms might turn into a biological or chemical war.
Biological and Chemical warfare
When the military uses chemicals, bacteria, viruses, toxins, or poisons to harm their counterparts or civilians is called Chemical and Biological warfare.
Chemical weapons involve toxins or chemical substances that target either the soldiers or civilians at home. It initiated during the World War 1 when chemicals like chlorine, phosgene (a suffocating gas) and mustard gas (can cause skin irritation) were used by both the sides. Both Russia and America allegedly contained stocks of chemical weapons during the Cold War.
On the other hand, Biological Weapons are viruses, bacteria and other toxic substances that are produced and infected in the enemy’s body. These toxins cause long illness or death to humans. Some of the biological agents like anthrax, smallpox, plague, etc. were used by powerful countries during the WW1.
International regulations that check the use of Chemical weapons
- The Geneva Protocol, 1925: The countries at war during the WW1 deployed 124,200 tonnes of chlorine, mustard and other chemical agents in the environment. This claimed the lives of millions of people. The majorly affected were the troops because they were present at the battlefield and came in direct contact with the toxins. Thus, Geneva Protocol was signed in 1925 that prohibited countries from using chemical and biological weapons. Moreover, it was also signed by Russia.
- However, the Geneva Protocol did not prohibit the countries from developing, producing and possessing these toxic elements. Also, it did not contain the countries that signed it, to use these weapons on countries that did not sign. Further, the countries that were part of the convention could use these weapons in retaliation to this on the countries that are a part of the convention.
- The Biological Convention (BWC), 1972: The Biological Convention was signed in 1972 during the Disarmament Conference in Geneva. The convention includes 182 countries including Russia. The Convention prohibits the “development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxin weapons”.
- The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), 1993: The CWC was signed in 1993 and came into existence in 1997. However, the negotiations started 12 years back during the Geneva Disarmament talks. It prohibits, “the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, or use of chemical weapons by states.
- The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW): The OPCW was formally established in 1997 in Netherlands. This implements an independent and permanent body to keep a check on all the countries, implement CWC, conduct verifications of weather the country is possessing weapons or have been destroyed effectively. It also prevents the countries to re-develop chemical weapons in any member countries, to give protection and assistance to the member countries and maintain peaceful uses of chemistry.
India during the UNSC meeting
During the United Nations Security Council meeting, Indian ambassador to UN stated that it is very important for the world to understand the need to restrain the use of biochemical weapons.
He said, “India attaches high importance to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) as a key global and non- discriminatory disarmament Convention, prohibiting an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.
We also believe that any matter relating to obligations under the BTWC should be addressed as per the provisions of the Convention and through consultations and cooperation between the parties concerned.”
Further, he also stated India’s concern over the rapidly decreasing humanitarian condition in Ukraine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked both the sides to execute immediate ceasefire and resolve the issue through dialogue and diplomacy.
Edited by- Subbuthai Padma
Published by- Iram Rizvi
