Chemical Weapons
The
concerns about chemical weapons is taking a new height, particularly
after the recent massacre in Syrian Soil. But, before I address these
concerns, I find it necessary to briefly introduce chemical weapons
and the threats it possess.
There
was once a time, when armies used to poison the water sources of
enemies to kill them. Then the US War Department of 1863 declared the
' poisons shall not be used in modern warfare.'. 51 years later,
World War I occurred, and where 100000 people were killed by
poisonous gas. In world war 2, Nazi troops used chemical weapons in
gas chambers on the prisoners of concentration camps. Also, during
the cold war, the production and storage of chemical weapons
increased massively. Then Saddam Hussein came on stage,who used
mustard gas against Iran and in 1988 used chemical weapons on
hundreds of Kurds, which is noted as one of the most brutal
genocides. It is estimated that about 1 million people have died
since world war I due to chemical weapons.
The
horrifying images of massacre in World war I outraged the whole world
and they tried to seek a permanent solution to chemical weapons. In
1925, a protocol called Geneva protocol was signed. This protocol
forbids the use of chemical weapons but it doesn't restrict the
production and distribution. In other words it said you can't use it
but it didn't say that you can't produce it either. Apparently it
failed and chemical weapons were used in World War II as well. Then
the world got more concerned. And after negotiating for 12 years, a
treaty called Chemical Weapons Convention was signed in 1992 which
calls for stringent compliance by the state parties. About 189
countries have joined the CWC representing 98% if world population.
The
CWC entered into force in 1997 and it required that all countries
submit their report on the chemical weapons they possessed. The US
has about 30000 tons of weapons while Russia has the largest arsenal
with 40000 tons of poisonous gas. India too, possessed about 1000
tons of chemical weapons. CWC stated that all chemicals weapons had
to be destroyed within 10 years. While US, Russia and Libya have
reduced their arsenal by about half, all other have supposedly
destroyed their store. But what the true status is, no one has ever
disclosed.
Now
let me get back to Syria. Syria has not ratified the CWC and on July
this year, it admitted possessing chemical weapons. Few days ago, on
August 21, the rebels reported that the government used chemical
weapons, mainly in a suburb of Damascus, Ghouta, where 1300 people
were killed. The government says that its a conspiracy of the rebel,
and the rebel blames the government. An investigation was called by
UN and inspectors were sent to Syria. They too were attacked by
snipers. The western countries blame Basar-Al-Assad for the massacre,
and based on news reports are preparing for military intervention.
Now
one may ask, why are chemical weapons creating such a panic and
outcry? After call killing people using bombs in not less evil than
killing with chemical poisons. It is because, chemical weapons are
not contained with battlefields, the affect the water the soil and in
general the lives of everyone , including the civilians. And
depriving people of safe air to breathe and water to drink is against
fundamental human rights and is morally deplorable. Also, chemical
weapons, which affect soil affects the fertility and have many long
term consequences. But, perhaps the most important thing is our
willingness to search for peaceful solutions. If people start using
destructive weapons like chemical weapons national issues, then
within no time they 'll start using nuclear weapons for minor
conflict.
As
always, diplomatic solutions have to be arranged. Treaties, law and
agreements cannot ascertain permanent world peace unless we are
willing to compromise and look for consensual solutions.
The
ultimate question in this regard is Should Wars have boundaries? Or
should they have a free reign just like the saying goes “Everything
is fair in love and war”. But, a full fledged war, where countries
are desperately trying to overpower each other, might not be
controlled by any treaties or laws. There is indeed a reason they are
called wars. But, we can, at least prevent or minimize the use of
chemical weapons towards innocent people, who aren't involved in
either side of the conflict.
For
this, the CWC treaty has to make sure that all chemical arsenals are
destroyed. Also, bodies like UN should play a stronger role to
mediate national and international conflicts. But must importantly,
humans should evolve, evolve into more peaceful beings for whom war
is not the only solution
But
until such dramatic evolution appears, being among the ones who
neither have such weapons nor can control them, all we can do is pray
that chemical weapons do not take over the world.
