Chemical Weapons

Chemical Weapons in 2013

United States views on international law [1] in relation to Chemical Weapons: The landmark achievement in 2013 in the area of preventing proliferation of chemical weapons is the international commitment embodied in a UN Security Council Resolution (“UNSCR”) to rid Syria of its chemical weapons in cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (“OPCW”). Leading up to that UNSCR, the United States took a firm stand condemning the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons in the ongoing civil war in Syria. On March 21, 2013, Ambassador Rice welcomed the announcement by UN Secretary-General Bank Ki-Moon regarding the UN's planned investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Ambassador Rice's statement is excerpted below and available at (link resource) usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/206494.htm.

Some Aspects of Chemical Weapons

The United States welcomes today's announcement by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon regarding an investigation into the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria. The United States supports an investigation that pursues any and all credible allegations of the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria, and underscores the importance of launching this investigation as swiftly as possible. We demand the full cooperation of the Assad regime in particular, as well as Syrian authorities throughout the country, including by providing full and unfettered access to all relevant individuals and locations. In addition, humanitarian workers seeking to assist injured individuals should be given complete access to provide medical care and assistance as needed.

Developments

We call on the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to provide full support to the UN's investigation, including information, expertise, and resources. As the UN proceeds with these efforts, we will also continue to work closely with our partners to obtain further information regarding any and all credible allegations of the potential or actual use of chemical weapons in Syria.

Details

President Obama has been clear that the use or transfer of chemical weapons is totally unacceptable. If Bashar Al-Assad and those under his command make the mistake of using chemical weapons, or fail to meet their obligation to secure them, then there will be consequences. Those responsible will be held accountable.

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Ambassador Rice again condemned the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons on June 14, 2013 in remarks at the UN Security Council after the United States delivered a letter to the Secretary-General providing the U.S. assessment that the Assad regime had used chemical weapons, including sarin, against the Syrian opposition on multiple occasions. Her remarks are available at (link resource) usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/210674.htm. Ambassador Rice said:

We believe that the Assad regime maintains control of these weapons. We have no reliable, corroborated reporting to indicate that the opposition has acquired or used chemical weapons.

We regret that the Assad regime has failed to cooperate with the United Nations investigation by providing the necessary unfettered access and the ability to investigate any and all credible allegations of chemical weapons use.

We will continue our own investigation and analysis, along with friends and allies, even as we continue to maintain that the United Nations investigation should be allowed to go forward.

The Assad regime could prove that its request for a UN investigation was not just a diversionary tactic by granting the UN fact-finding mission immediate and unfettered access to conduct on-site investigations to help elucidate the truth about chemical weapons use in Syria.

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On June 7, 2013, the Chair of the Australia Group issued a press release at the conclusion of its annual plenary which addressed the developments in Syria. The Australia Group is a voluntary organization which seeks to counter the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons. The press release at the conclusion of the 2013 Australia Group Plenary, excerpted below, is available at (Secretary of State website) state.gov/t/isn/rls/prsrl/2013/210581.htm.

Chemical Weapons in 2013 (Continuation)

United States views on international law [1] in relation to Chemical Weapons: [T]he Group reaffirmed its view that chemical weapons in Syria continue to pose a serious threat of further destabilising the Middle East and a challenge to global non-proliferation norms. Australia Group members are gravely concerned by the growing body of evidence pointing to the use of chemical weapons and by the danger of more and larger-scale use. The threat of chemical weapon use on the people of Syria underlines the necessity for the complete eradication of chemical weapons for all time and for the universalisation of the CWC.

More about Chemical Weapons

The Australia Group underlined that the use of chemical weapons under any circumstances is unacceptable and against the legal norms of the international community. The Group urged support for the UN mission to investigate all allegations of chemical weapon use in Syria.

Development

The Australia Group Plenary urged all parties to the Syrian conflict to renounce chemical weapons and their use in any circumstances, and to take steps to eliminate all stocks of those weapons. In the meantime Syria must assure the international community about the security of its chemical weapons stockpiles.

Details

Building on its appeal at the 2012 Plenary, Australia Group participants emphasised the need for all countries to exercise increased vigilance with regard to dual-use exports to Syria of items potentially relevant to chemical and biological weapons, and to subject such exports to Syria to particular scrutiny.

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On September 10, 2013, the State Department published its formal determination regarding chemical weapons use in Syria under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991. 78 Fed. Reg. 55,326 (Sep. 10, 2013). The notice stated:

The United States Government has determined on August 2, pursuant to Section 306(a) of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991, 22 U.S.C. 5604(a), that the Government of Syria has used chemical weapons in violation of international law or lethal chemical weapons against its own nationals.

Chemical and Biological Weapons

In relation to the international law practice and chemical and biological weapons in this world legal Encyclopedia, please see the following section:

Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation

About this subject:

Biological Weapons

Note: there is detailed information and resources under these topics during the year 2013, covered by this entry on chemical and biological weapons in this law Encyclopedia.

Resources

Notes

1. Chemical Weapons in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law

Resources

Notes

1. Chemical Weapons in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law