Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

Why in news?

• As the war of words between the United States and Russia intensifies on the implementation of military biological programmes on the territory of Ukraine, India has underlined the importance of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) as a key global and non-discriminatory disarmament Convention which prohibits an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.

About Biological Weapons Convention (BWC):

• Biological weapons are a subset of a larger class of weapons referred to as weapons of mass destruction, which also includes chemical, nuclear and radiological weapons.
• The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), officially known as “Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction” was formed in 1975.
• 183 nations, including India, China and the United States, are at present parties to it.
• The Convention was framed to outlaw biological weapons and prohibited the production or stockpiling of biological agents that have no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes.
• BWC was the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban the production of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.

Treaty obligations:

• Article I: Never under any circumstances to develop, produce, stockpile, acquire, or retain biological weapons.
• Article II: To destroy or divert to peaceful purposes biological weapons and associated resources prior to joining.
• Article III: Not to transfer, or in any way assist, encourage, or induce anyone else to acquire or retain biological weapons.
• Article IV: To take any national measures necessary to implement the provisions of the BWC domestically.
• Article VI: Right to request the United Nations Security Council to investigate alleged breaches of the BWC and undertaking to cooperate in carrying out any investigation initiated by the Security Council.

Drawbacks:

• Absence of a monitoring mechanism and its dependence on signatory states having their own legal biosecurity safeguards.
• There are no proper guidelines on regulating academic research on bio-agents.
• A number of BWC States Parties have been accused of breaching the convention's obligations by developing or producing biological weapons. Example: Russia

PRACTICE QUESTION

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)?

1. It was the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban the production of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.

2. India signed and ratified the convention

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither

Answer