The Chemical Weapons Convention A Commentary

by Krutzsch, Walter; Myjer, Eric; Trapp, Ralf

• ISBN13: 9780199669110
• ISBN10: 0199669112
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2014-10-07
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This book provides an article-by-article commentary on the text of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and its Annexes, one of the cornerstone disarmament and arms control agreements. It requires the verified elimination of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction and their means of production by all its States Parties within established time lines, and that prohibits any activities to develop or otherwise acquire such weapons. Cross-cutting chapters alongside the detailed commentary, by those intimately involved in the development of the Convention, assess the history of the efforts to prohibit chemical weapons, the adoption of the Convention and the work of the Preparatory Commission, the entry into force of the Convention to the Second Review Conference, and the need for a new approach for the governance of chemical weapons. Written by those involved in its creation and implementation, this book critically reviews the practices adopted in implementing the Convention, as well as the challenges ahead, and provides legal commentary on, and guidance for, its future role. It assesses how to adapt its implementation to advances in science and technology, including the discovery of new chemicals and the development of biochemical 'non-lethal' compounds that influence behaviour. It addresses the legal framework within which the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) takes decisions, both with regard to the OPCW's own regulatory framework and regarding wider international norms, accepted principles, and practices. The Commentary draws conclusions on how the prohibitions against chemical weapons can be strengthened and the stature of the OPCW protected. It highlights the involvement of industry and academia in this prohibition, creating a symbiosis between effective governance and the legal framework of the Convention. This book is an authoritative, scholarly work for anyone interested in the Chemical Weapons Convention, in international disarmament and arms control law, and in the work of international organizations, and a practical guide for individuals and institutions involved in the Convention's day-to-day implementation.

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
I.1. History of the efforts to prohibit chemical weapons
I.2. The adoption of the Convention and the work of the Preparatory Commission, Daniel Feakes
I.3. From the entry into force of the Convention to the Second Review Conference, Ralf Trapp
I.4. Looking into the future - the use of risk management concepts in decision making, Ralf Trapp
I.5. Non-state security stakeholders, Maarten Lak
I.6. The need for a new governance approach - the role of civic society, Caitriona McLeish
II. The preamble, Walter Krutzsch
III. The Articles
III.1. Article I General Obligations, Walter Krutzsch
III.2. Article II Definitions and Criteria, Walter Krutzsch and Ralf Trapp
III.3. Article III Declarations, Ralf Trapp
III.4. Articles IV and V Chemical Weapons and Chemical Weapons Production Facilities, Arend Meerburg and Paul Walker
III.5. Article VI Activities not prohibited under the Convention, Mirko Sossai
III.6. Article VII National Implementation Measures, Lisa Tabassi
III.7. Article VIII The Organisation [for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons], Walter Krutzsch and Treasa Dunworth
III.8. Article IX Consultations, cooperation and fact-finding, Thilo Marauhn
III.9. Article X Assistance and protection against chemical weapons, Thilo Marauhn
III.10. Article XI Economic and technological development, Thilo Marauhn
III.11. Article XII Measures to redress a situation and to ensure compliance, including sanctions, Guido den Dekker
III.12. Article XIII Relations to other international agreements, Walter Krutzsch
III.13. Article XIV Settlement of disputes
III.14. Article XV Amendments
III.15. Articles XIV- XXIV Final clauses
IV. The Annexes
IV.1. The Annex on Chemicals, Ralf Trapp
IV.2. The Verification and Implementation Annex
IV.2.1. Overview, Ralf Trapp
IV.2.2. Parts I III General verification provisions, Ralf Trapp and Walter Krutzsch
IV.2.3. Parts IV.A, IV.B and V Chemical weapons, old and abandoned chemical weapons, chemical weapons production facilities, Ralf Trapp
IV.2.4. Parts VI IX Verification of activities not prohibited by the Convention, Ralf Trapp
IV.2.5. Part X Challenge inspection, Thilo Marauhn
IV.2.6. Part XI - Investigations of alleged use, Thilo Marauhn
V.3. The Confidentiality Annex, Eric Myjer