UN marks Day of Remembrance for chemical weapons victims with renewed call for global action
The international community must act together to shore up the norm against the use of chemical weapons, to hold to account anyone who would stoop to using them and to revive the global regime: UN Chief
By R Anil Kumar
UN, PEACE AND SECURITY, November 30. On the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for decisive global action to eliminate chemical weapons, warning that their resurgence threatens decades of hard-won progress.
Commemorated on Saturday, November 30, the Day of Remembrance pays tribute to those killed or injured by chemical weapons and urges nations to ensure such horrors are never repeated.
In his message, the Secretary-General highlighted a major milestone achieved last year: the complete destruction of declared stockpiles under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
“But the last decade has seen the reemergence of these weapons. Combined with rapid developments in science and technology, the threat grows greater still,” he cautioned.
Guterres urged the international community to reaffirm their commitment to end the scourge once and for all.
“The global community must speak with one voice and reaffirm commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention, end impunity and live up to the Pact for the Future’s pledge to a world free of these weapons,” he said.
Adopted at the Summit of the Future in September, the Pact for the Future aims to strengthen global cooperation to address urgent challenges, including disarmament, development, climate change and human rights, ensuring a peaceful and sustainable future for all.
Keeping the memory alive
In addition to urging action, the Day of Remembrance serves as a solemn occasion to honour the victims of chemical warfare.
It stands as a stark reminder of the devastating human cost of these weapons and the collective responsibility to ensure they are never used again.
The Day is observed each year on 30 November or, when appropriate, the first day of the regular session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Convention.
The fight against chemical weapons
The international community’s efforts to eliminate chemical weapons date back over a century.
These weapons caused catastrophic destruction during World War I, killing over 100,000 people and injuring a million.
Though chemical weapons were not used on European battlefields during World War II, growing awareness of their devastating effects led to calls for comprehensive disarmament.
The Chemical Weapons Convention
Adopted in 1992, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (the Chemical Weapons Convention or CWC) is the cornerstone of these efforts.
Entering into force in 1997, it has since been ratified by 193 States, making it one of the most widely accepted international disarmament agreements.
The CWC prohibits the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons, and mandates the destruction of existing stockpiles and production facilities.
The Convention also established the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to oversee compliance, provide verification and facilitate international cooperation among Member States.
Abhorrent weapons’
The UN chief reminded that the use of chemical weapons is a serious violation of international law.
“It is imperative that those responsible for using these abhorrent weapons are identified and held accountable, for the sake of the victims and to prevent any future chemical warfare”.
In its statement, the Security Council underscored its commitment to never use them “anywhere, at any time”, or under “under any circumstance”.
The Council also reiterated the call for “the complete destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles and abandoned chemical weapons,” in accordance with what’s formally known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (CWC), which entered into force on 29 April 1997.
The Council condemned the use of these indiscriminate, inhumane weapons in conflicts such as the Syrian civil war, over the past quarter of a century.
For humanity’s sake
The Council stressed that no one should, “under any circumstances” develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, or retain chemical weapons.
Nor should anyone transfer, directly or indirectly, chemical weapons; engage in any military preparations to use chemical weapons; or assist, “encourage or induce, in any way, anyone to engage in any activity prohibited to a State party under the Convention.”
They reaffirmed that “the development, production and use of chemical weapons, as prohibited by the Convention, remained a clear threat to international peace and security”.
Recognizing OPCW
Ambassadors also urged all States that have not yet done so, to become parties to the CWC “without delay”.
The statement concluded with their recognizing the crucial role of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) – the body responsible to ensure the “impartial, independent and professional implementation of all provisions of the Convention.”
