Topic: Re-Evaluating the Chemical Weapons Convention
Country: Greece
Delegate Name: Joseph Richards
School: Vicksburg High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Greece position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
Greece, along with over 192 state-parties believe that the use of chemical weapons in warfare is a crime against humanity. The ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), enables the prohibition of the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, or transfer or use of chemical weapons in countries that are in compliance with the treaty. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), has verified the destruction of over 90 percent of what was during the time declared as a chemical weapon. Currently the definition of a chemical weapon is a specialized munition that uses chemicals formulated to inflict death or harm on humans. However, the continuing and escalating problem in Syria has provided new motivation for an expansion of the definition of a chemical weapon, and Greece is opening broadening that definition to include ICAs and anything else that would limit the use of such weapons.
Chemicals such as chlorine and sulfur mustard may not necessarily be a chemical weapon in themselves however the chemical is lethal and has been used on dozens of occasions in recent history. Greece does not in any way support the use or development of chemical weapons of any kind and believes that any countries that hold stockpiles of these materials should be monitored and if the material are used for any kind of warfare the United Nations should take actions to prevent it.
Greece fully supports funding for the destruction and decommissioning of chemical weapons. However, the means in which chemical weapons are destroyed is an issue that deeply concerns Greece. Greece is concerned that if the syrian chemical weapons in the Mediterranean are destroyed in the wrong way that it could potentially turn one of Europe's most popular vacation hot spots into a graveyard of high toxic agents. The seizing and proper removal of these chemical weapons is supported by Greece however they must be destroyed in a manner that does not negatively affect the environment.
