Geneva Protocol

Geneva Protocol is an international treaty prohibiting the use of chemical and biological weapons in international armed conflicts. It was signed at Geneva on 17 June 1925 and entered into force on 8 February 1928. It was registered in League of Nations Treaty Series on 7 September 1929. The Geneva Protocol categorically prohibits the use of chemical and biological weapons, without making any provisions for sanctions.

History

The Geneva Protocol was a result of public outrage after the use of chemical and biological weapons during World War I. The protocol was drafted by the League of Nations and was signed by 38 nations. The United States did not ratify the protocol until 1975.

Provisions

The protocol prohibits the use of "asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, and of all analogous liquids, materials or devices" and "bacteriological methods of warfare". This is often understood as a general prohibition of chemical and biological warfare. However, the protocol does not prohibit the production, storage or transfer of such weapons.

Signatories

As of 2016, 138 nations have ratified the protocol and a further 38 have signed but not ratified it. Some countries, such as the United States, have added reservations to their ratification of the protocol.

Criticisms

Critics of the protocol have argued that it has a number of weaknesses. For example, it does not include a verification regime to check compliance. It also does not include enforcement measures and does not clearly define what constitutes a chemical or biological weapon.

See also

• Chemical Weapons Convention
• Biological Weapons Convention
• List of weapons of mass destruction treaties
• List of parties to the Geneva Protocol

References

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External links

• Text of the protocol
• Status of the protocol

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  British 55th Division gas casualties, 10 April 1918
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  Sarin test on rabbit
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  Geneva Protocol parties