Topic: Re-Evaluating the Chemical Weapons Convention
Country: Iraq
Delegate Name: Reian Zhang
School: Grand Rapids City High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Iraq position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
From the first full-scale deployment of the deadly chemical warfare agents during WWI, it has been a critical issue. Because of the pain and suffering that was experienced by the soldiers of WWI, it was justly condemned by the general opinion of the civilized world. Therefore, in order to ensure the ban on chemical weapons, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) was created. Iraq, who recently joined the CWC on February 12, 2009, agrees to prohibit the use of chemical weapons.
Due to the instability of the Middle East, Iraq has used chemical weapons to defend its country. Although Iraq has used both chemical and biological weapons under the Saddam Hussein regime, Iraq today has no active chemical and biological programs. Iraq displays that they want to comply with the OPCW by declaring that there are “two bunkers with filled and unfilled chemical weapons munitions, some precursors, as well as five former chemical weapons production facilities (CWPFs)." In addition, all of the bunkers and the chemical weapons production facilities are not in service and do not contain chemical weapons that can be used. Furthermore, ISIS and their use of chemical weapons against Iraq should be stopped immediately.
Since Iraq no longer uses chemical or biological weapons, we believe that the United Nation should merge the BWC and the CWC in an updated treaty. Iraq wants the ban on all chemical and biological weapons, whether it be lethal or non-lethal. In addition, it is necessary that the new proposal would broaden the remit of the CWC beyond member states, restricting non-state actors’ access to chemical weapons and equipment. With more defining definitions of what constitutes chemical weapons, there should be no misunderstandings. Therefore, a more serious consequence should be implemented if any country decides to use chemical or biological weapons.
