1.Chemical Weapons: specific IHL rules2.Chemical Weapons: general IHL rules3.Chemical Weapons: criminal provisions

PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL

HUMANITARIAN LAW

29

GENOCIDE NETWORK MEETING 24 MARCH 2021

Dr. Nele Verlinden, Legal Advisor, ICRC

Overview

1. Chemical Weapons: specific IHL rules

2. Chemical Weapons: general IHL rules

3. Chemical Weapons: criminal provisions

1. Chemical weapons: specific IHL rules

• Ancient prohibition to use poison

• 1899 Martens clause: ‘laws of humanity’

• 1899: Hague Declaration (IV,2) concerning Asphyxiating Gases - Prohibition to use of projectiles for diffusion of asphyxiating or

deleterious gases - Reciprocal obligation

Imperial war Museum, London, 1918

1. Chemical weapons: specific IHL rules

ICRC Archives, 1914-1918

1. Chemical weapons: specific IHL rules

ICRC Archives, Poland

• ICRC’s appeal to the belligerents, 8/2/1918:

‘we unhesitatingly demand a ban on this appalling method of waging war’

1. Chemical weapons: specific IHL rules

• 1925: Geneva Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use of

Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare

- Prohibits use on war of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and of all analogous liquids materials or devices + bacteriological methods of warfare

- Reservations: retaliation possible

ICRC Archives, 1914-1918

1. Chemical Weapons: specific IHL rules

• 1972 Biological Weapons Convention

• 1993: Chemical Weapons Convention

- Prohibits the use, development, production, stockpiling, retention and transfer of chemical weapons (= all toxic chemicals)

In IAC and NIAC

Chemical weapons = toxic chemicals + munition/device/equipment to use them Except industrial, agricultural, research, medical, pharmaceutical or other peaceful purposes, protective purpose, law enforcement (riot control) - Requires their destruction

- Coercive verification system (OPCW)

• Customary IHL (Rule 74):

The use of chemical weapons is prohibited (IAC + NIAC)

=> ABSOLUTE PROHIBITION

2. Chemical Weapons: general IHL rules

• Principle of distinction

(Art. 48, 51 and 52 AP I, Art. 13 AP II, Rule 1 CIHL)

• Principle of proportionality (Art. 51 and 57 AP I, Rule 14 CIHL)

• Prohibition to use means of methods that cause superfluous injury and unnecessary suffering (SIRUS)

(Art. 35 AP I, Rule 70 CIHL)

• Prohibition to attack, destroy,… objects indispensable for the survival of the civilian population

(Art. 54 AP I, Art. 14 AP II, Rule 54 CIHL)

-> includes the pollution of water sources with chemical or other agents, rendering them useless

3. Chemical Weapons: criminal provisions

Art. VII(1)(a) CWC: obligation to criminalize violations of the Convention domestically + extraterritorial application to nationals

Rome Statute

• Art. 8(2)(b) (IAC)

(xvi) Employing poison or poisoned weapons

(xviii) Employing asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases […]

• Art. 8(2)(e) (NIAC)

(xvi) Employing poison or poisoned weapons

(xviii) Employing asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases […]

+ possible other war crimes Numerous Military Manuals

Thank you!

Questions?

[email protected]

ICRC Archives, Poland