What is Chemical Weapons Convention Act?
What is Chemical Weapons Convention Act?
THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION ACT, 2000. ACT NO. 34 OF 2000. [26th August, 2000.] An Act to give effect to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
What defines a chemical weapon?
A Chemical Weapon is a chemical used to cause intentional death or harm through its toxic properties. Munitions, devices and other equipment specifically designed to weaponise toxic chemicals also fall under the definition of chemical weapons.
What is the purpose of the Chemical Weapons Convention?
The Convention aims to eliminate an entire category of weapons of mass destruction by prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by States Parties.
How do you cite OPCW?
Citation Data
- MLA. Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. OPCW Synthesis.
- APA. Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. OPCW synthesis.
- Chicago. Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. “OPCW Synthesis.” The Hague :Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons., n.d.
What are chemical conventions?
The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a multilateral treaty that bans chemical weapons and requires their destruction within a specified period of time. The treaty is of unlimited duration and is far more comprehensive than the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which outlaws the use but not the possession of chemical weapons.
Are chemical weapons allowed?
The use and possession of chemical weapons is prohibited under international law. However, several nations continue to maintain active chemical weapons programs, despite a prevailing norm against the use of chemical weapons and international efforts to destroy existing stockpiles.
Why are chemical weapons illegal?
The modern use of chemical weapons began with World War I, when both sides to the conflict used poisonous gas to inflict agonizing suffering and to cause significant battlefield casualties. As a result of public outrage, the Geneva Protocol, which prohibited the use of chemical weapons in warfare, was signed in 1925.
How many states acceded to chemical weapons?
193 states
The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) entered into force on April 29, 1997, and currently has 193 states-parties. One state has signed but not ratified (Israel)….Fact Sheets & Briefs.
| Country | Signature | Ratification/Accession |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | 1/13/93 | 8/17/95 |
| Azerbaijan | 1/13/93 | 2/29/00 |
| Bahamas | 3/2/94 | 4/21/09 |
| Bahrain | 2/24/93 | 4/28/97 |
How effective is the Chemical Weapons Convention?
Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997 – and with its 192 States Parties – it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction. Over 96% of all chemical weapon stockpiles declared by possessor States have been destroyed under OPCW verification.
What is the definition of the Convention on the prohibition of chemical weapons?
The definition of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (hereinafter referred to as “CWC”) only includes toxic effects on human beings and animals, not effects on plants (e.g., herbicides).
What is Article V of the Chemical Weapons Convention?
Article V relates to the requirement for States Parties to destroy and/or convert their Chemical Weapons Production Facilities (CWPFs) Article VI covers “activities not prohibited under this Convention”, otherwise known as the non-proliferation or industry verification regime
Where does the Chemical Weapons Convention take place?
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Headquarters in The Hague. The convention is administered by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which acts as the legal platform for specification of the CWC provisions.
How does the weapons of mass destruction convention work?
The Convention aims to eliminate an entire category of weapons of mass destruction by prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by States Parties. States Parties, in turn, must take the steps necessary to enforce that prohibition in respect…