Phosphorus Bombs

In News

• Recently, Ukrainian police have accused Russian forces of launching phosphorous bomb attacks in the eastern regions of Lugansk & and Donetsk, collectively called the Donbas.

About

• International law prohibits the use of white phosphorus shells in heavily populated civilian areas but allows them in open spaces to be used as cover for troops.

What are White Phosphorus Bombs?

• White Phosphorus:
  • It is a colourless, white or yellow, waxy solid.
  • It does not occur naturally. It is manufactured using phosphate rocks.
  • It is a highly combustible substance that reacts with oxygen in the air.
  • It can catch fire at temperatures as low as 10 to 15 degrees above room temperature.
  • Due to its combustible nature, every country has strict regulations regarding its manufacturing and handling.
• Applications:
  • Their primary aim is to create thick smoke that can hide military forces or mark targets.
  • Other applications may include as a component in fertilisers, food additives and cleaning compounds. Initially, it was also used in pesticides and fireworks, but many countries have banned its use in several sectors.
• Not Listed under OPCW:
  • The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which is an intergovernmental organisation and the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, has not listed White Phosphorous in any of the three Schedules of Chemical Weapons.
• Concern:
  • White phosphorus munitions can cause injuries in two main ways: burn injuries and vapour inhalation.

What are Chemical Weapons?

• A Chemical Weapon is a chemical used to cause intentional death or harm through its toxic properties. 
• Munitions, devices and other equipment specifically designed to weaponise toxic chemicals also fall under the definition of chemical weapons.

Laws dealing with Chemical Weapons Usage

• Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC):
  • It is a multilateral treaty banning chemical weapons and requiring their destruction within the stipulated time.
  • Negotiations for the CWC began in 1980 at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament.
  • The convention was drafted in September 1992 and opened for signature in January 1993. It became effective from April 1997.
  • It makes it mandatory to destroy old and abandoned chemical weapons.
  • Members should also declare the riot-control agents (sometimes referred to as ‘tear gas’) in possession of them.
  • India signed the treaty in January 1993. The Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000 was passed to implement the CWC.
  • Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000: Establishment of National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention.
• Other Conventions & Grouping:
  • Rotterdam Convention: It seeks to promote shared responsibility and cooperative efforts among State Parties in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm.
    • It is a legally binding instrument. India acceded to the Convention.
  • Stockholm Convention: It is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
    • A Global Environment Facility (GEF) has been set up as an interim financial mechanism, to assist the developing countries in the implementation of the Convention
  • Australia Group: It is a voluntary, informal, export-control arrangement through which 42 countries including the EU, coordinate their national export controls to limit the supply of chemicals and biological agents as well as related equipment, technologies.

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

• About:
  • It is an international organization established by the Chemical Weapons Convention, 1997 to implement and enforce the terms of the non-proliferation treaty, which prohibits the use, stockpiling or transfer of chemical weapons by signatory states.
  • By the 2001 Relationship Agreement between the OPCW and the United Nations, the OPCW reports on its inspections and other activities to the UN through the office of the Secretary-General.
  • The organisation was awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize “for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons”.
• Powers:
  • The OPCW is authorized to perform inspections to verify that signatory states are complying with the convention.
• Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits:
  • Developing, producing, acquiring, stockpiling, or retaining chemical weapons.
  • The direct or indirect transfer of chemical weapons.
  • Chemical weapons use or military preparation for use.
  • Assisting, encouraging, or inducing other states to engage in CWC-prohibited activity.
  • The use of riot control agents “as a method of warfare.”

Source: IE