Chemical Weapons Used By Syria
Source : The Hindu
GS II : Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

Why in News ?

Chemical Weapons Used By Syria : Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) told the UN Security Council that its experts have  investigated 77 allegations against Syria, and concluded that in 17 cases chemical weapons were likely or definitely used.

Key Facts

• OPCW’s Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) issued its first report investigating the use of chemical weapons during Syria’s civil war.
• The presence of a new chemical weapons agent found in samples collected in large storage containers in Sept. 2020 from Syria.
• Chemical Weapons Used By Syria and its samples collected from the scene were analyzed for chlorine contamination.
• The use of any chemical substance in combat is prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention passed in 1997.

About Chemical Weapon

• Chemical Weapon is a chemical used to cause intentional death or harm through its toxic properties.
• Any equipment specifically designed to weaponize toxic chemicals also fall under the definition of chemical weapons.
• Chemicals used to produce chemical weapons (precursors) falls under chemical weapons.

Efforts against the use of Chemical Weapons

Chemical Weapons Convention

• Members:
  • It has 192 state parties and 165 signatories.

    

  • India is also a party in the treaty.
  • Syria was pressed to join the Chemical Weapons Convention in September 2013 by Russia.
• It is a multilateral treaty banning chemical weapons and requiring their destruction within the stipulated time.
• 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 must take the steps necessary to enforce that prohibition in respect of persons (natural or legal) within their jurisdiction.
• All States Parties have agreed to chemically disarm by destroying any stockpiles of chemical weapons.
• Challenge Inspection : State Party in doubt about another State Party’s compliance can request a surprise inspection.

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

• Implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention.
• Headquarters: Hague, Netherlands.
• It have 193 Member States.
  • 98% of the global population live under the protection of the Convention
• It aims to permanently and verifiably eliminate chemical weapons.

Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (Hazardous Chemicals and Wastes)

• Multilateral environmental agreements, which share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes.
• BASEL CONVENTION : Protect people and the environment from the negative effects of the inappropriate management of hazardous wastes worldwide.
• ROTTERDAM CONVENTION : Prior Informed Consent Procedure for certain hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in international trade provides Parties with a first line of defence against hazardous chemicals.
• STOCKHOLM CONVENTION : Global treaty to protect human health and the environment from highly dangerous, long-lasting chemicals by restricting and ultimately eliminating their production, use, trade, release and storage.

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