State parties of CWC congregate in Bhutan to discuss challenges, experiences on implementation of convention

Bhutan for the first time is hosting the16th meeting for the state parties of Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The three-day meeting which began yesterday will discuss challenges and experiences of the state parties on the implementation of the convention.

The Chemical Weapons Convention is an arms control treaty that prohibits development, production, purchase, retention, and use of chemical weapons.

It defines chemical weapons as any toxic chemical that can cause death, injury, temporary incapacitation or sensory irritation through its chemical action. The adoption of this convention regulates the use of chemical weapons.

“Most chemicals are dual used. It could be used as a weapon of mass destruction but at the same time use in a daily life for the soaps, pesticides. This way, it is easy to transfer into weapons,” said Chizu Matsushita, Senior Coordination and Planning Officer, Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

That is why, it is important to adopt the international convention “to regulate the use and also transfer, and all kinds of activities related to chemicals under this convention,” added Chizu.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is the implementing body of the Convention that aims to permanently eliminate chemical weapons globally. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997 with 192 state parties, it is the most successful disarmament treaty.

This year the convention focuses on the important role the custom officials play in regulating and monitoring chemical weapons.

“Customs are the front line of controlling import and export of goods into the countries. And then that’s where the transfer of goods including chemicals comes. So unless they are aware about the risk of importing and exporting certain chemicals which is scheduled chemicals under the convention, it’s very difficult to regulate the transfer,” asserted Chizu Matsushita.

The foreign ministry which is the national authority of the Chemical Weapons Convention is in the process of drafting a national legislation to implement the convention.

Bhutan signed the convention in 1997 and ratified it in 2005.

 

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