The Headquarters of the Security Council, Find more in Annex #1

Committee: United Nations Security Council

Chair Members:

President: María José Desentis Garmilla

Moderator: Alejandro Rodríguez Orozco

Secretary: Alan Ochoa Martínez

Topic: Use of chemical weapons in actual conflicts; US airstrikes to Syria, April 2017.

I. INTRODUCTION

The Security Council is one of the six main

organs of the United Nations. It has existed ever

since the UN was founded in 1945 and its duty

has been to maintain peace around the globe and

contribute to ensure security, well being and

integrity of society. Whenever a threat to peace is

identified, the Security Council rises a session to

talk over what should be done about it, always

setting forth principles for peace, seeking

solutions that do not endanger international peace and security.

Concretely, the Security Council’s main purposes are: to maintain international peace

and security, to develop friendly relationships among nations, to cooperate in solving

international problems and in promoting respect for human rights, to make international

security and peace a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.

Consequently, the Security Council looks forward for the eradication of the use of

chemical warfare since they represent a threat to the world’s peace, sovereignty, territorial

integrity and safeness. Its goal is to make away with chemical weapons from international

arsenals in order to erase them from the list of threats of the world.

Chemicals have been used as tools for battles from the very beginning, ever since our

ancestors used poisoned arrows, they were already targeted as something that could harm

people’s integrity.

During World War One (WWI) the use of chemical weapons rose. Attacks with gasses

such as chlorine, mustard gas and phosgene were the root of millions of casualties at the time.

After several years and events in which people witnessed the effects of chemical warfare, the

world was cheerless about knowing what else these artifacts could do, this led to a massive

desire for the reduction of international arsenals, leaving thus nations the duty to seek for the

eradication of chemical weapons.

II. HISTORY OF THE CONFLICT

● April 22nd, 1915: The first appearance of chemical weapons took place in World War

I (WWI). The German Army attacked Canada with mustard gas in the Second Battle

of Ypres. It was the first time a weapon of mass destruction was used in the battlefield

and it gave the German Army a tremendous advantage. As a result, The Great War

was widely influenced by the use of chemical weaponry.

● 1925: The League of Nations instituted a Protocol called Geneva Protocol that stated

that using poisonous gasses for warfare was forbidden. This protocol came along with

George Bush and Mickhail Gobrachev shake hands after agreeing to reduce their arsenals in 1990. Find more in Annex #2

some failures since it didn't prohibit the production and stockpiling of the weaponry,

also, it didn't forbid to attack the countries who didn't sign it.

● 1947-1991: Due to the Cold War, the production, manufacture and trade of chemical

weapons were on a golden age. It is estimated that 20 years after that, 25 states from

all around the world, were increasing their chemical arsenals.

● 1980: Thanks to the initiative of the Swiss Confederation, the Nations began drafting a

document in which the terms regarding the use of chemical weapons would be

established on.

● June 1st, 1990: President George Bush and

the Soviet leader Mickhail Gobrachev, met

in Washington D.C. where they both agreed

that both nations would reduce their arsenal

to an 80% by 2012.

● 1992: The drafting process concluded in

the summer of this year after the

Committee of Chemical Weapons' chair established a meeting for the discussion of the

text. After that session, it took two more drafts for most delegations to agree with the

content of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

● September 3rd, 1992: The Disarmament Conference adopted the drafts of the CWC

and sent them to the General Assembly (GA) in its report. The General Assembly

agreed with the document but recommended the Member States to clarify some

aspects that weren't very clear in the document.

● January 13th, 1993: Following the recommendation of the GA, the Nations that

signed the CWC drafts elaborated the Paris Resolution, a document in which the

creation of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was

proposed in order to have a formal discussion forum and be able to debate and defend

the CWC.

● April 29th, 1997: The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons was

founded. After 12 years of negotiation, the Chemical Weapon Convention entered into

force.

● September 20th, 2013: The United States and the Russian Federation stated a

disarmament deal within the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

(OPCW) which consisted on helping Syria by destroying Bashar Al-Assad’s chemical

arsenal. Quoting the document, "The United States and the Russian Federation express

their joint determination to ensure the destruction of the Syrian chemical weapons

program (CW) in the soonest and safest manner".

● April 4th, 2017: The United States attacked Syria with sarin gas and it caused around

89 casualties triggering multiple nations because of the multiple treaties it

disrespected.

II.I. CURRENT HAPPENINGS

During the 2000’s, a series of events concerning the use of chemical weapons took place. The

UN instituted proceedings to forbid the production and trade of chemical weapons for many

asian countries. The Russian Federation and the United States continued their plan to reduce

their chemical arsenal, and during this decade, both nations got rid of approximately 60% of

their stockpile.

Currently, there is an issue because of the Civil War in Syria. Countries from all around the

world are fighting over this territory and after the United States attack earlier this year, the US

and Russia are on a disturbance about the use of chemical weapons. The reason is that, as

mentioned before, in 2013, both countries within the OPCW, stated a disarmament deal which

consisted on helping Syria by destroying Bashar Al-Assad’s chemical arsenal. This deal was

betrayed by the United States when it attacked Syria with sarin gas and caused around 89

casualties. The Russian Federation is currently exasperated about this event because the treaty

they signed in 1990 was disrespected. Not only was this taken as an offense by Russia but

also many border countries, which want in response to attack the US troops as well. These

happenings led to countries such as Korea to see upon their stock of Chemical Weaponry.

American missiles launch on an airbase in Syria.

Find more in Annex #3

The Russian Federation and North Korea

were triggered and the possibility of a

World War Three (WWIII) is on the table.

The United Nations are concerned about

this topic because of several events that

have happened throughout the decade.

III. KEY POINTS

● What actions should be taken in

order to stop the use of chemical weaponry (protocols, treaties, sanctions). What

should the UN do to punish or stop the use of chemical weapons.

● The effect chemical weapons have on armed conflicts. How can chemical weapons

lower or rise the amount of casualties or amount of time a belic conflict lasts.

● The amount of problems chemical weapons bring with them

1. Medical problems

2. International security

3. Social problems

4. international relationships

● Disrespecting of treaties. What sanctions or what do the participants of the Security

Council committee think should happen.

● Unconformity of the Nations regarding the United States’ attack.

● The possibility of a Third World War.

IV. UN ACTIONS

● Geneva Protocol: In 1925 the League of Nations instituted a Protocol that stated that

using poisonous gasses for warfare was forbidden and also mentions what

consequences and measures should be taken if this Protocol isn’t respected. That

protocol had about 140 parties with 38 signatories. This protocol came along with

some failures since it didn't prohibit the production and stockpiling of the weaponry,

also, it didn't forbid to attack the countries who didn't sign it.

● Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons: On April 29th, 1997, The

OPCW was founded. According to the OPCW, its mission is “To implement the

provisions of the CWC and to ensure a credible, transparent regime to verify the

destruction of chemical weapons; to prevent their re-emergence in any member State;

to provide protection and assistance against chemical weapons; to encourage

international cooperation in the peaceful uses of chemistry; and to achieve universal

membership of the OPCW.”

● Chemical Weapons Convention: On April 1997, the CWC was implemented. It was

the first document to implement terms on the eradication of a certain class of

weaponry.

● Security Council Resolution 2118: In 2013, the Security Council rose a dispute after

several chemical weapon attacks in the Syrian Arab Republic. The document states

resolutions for the erase of Syria’s Arsenal. It forbids the nation to use, develop,

produce, acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer chemical warfare and sets a series of

policies.

● Security Council Resolution 2209: In 2015, another dispute arose because of the use

of chlorine gas in Syria, after the debate, the nations concluded that any sanction,

including military or economic were allowed as long as its purpose was to enforce the

United Nations purposes and resolutions.

V. BLOCK ANALYSIS

● Western European and Others

In the zone of the western european countries, the France and the Belgium are involved in this

topic since in the past they were some of the countries that were close to the chemical

weapons and also the French Republic has chemical weapons and aerosol bombs in its army

stockpile. These countries have not yet used it on people.

● Eastern European

Eastern Europe countries have been in touch with chemical weapons for a long time, a lot of

these countries have their own production inside their territory while other have been subject

of attacks via chemical weapons. Europe is one of the most related countries towards these

weapons.

● Latin American and Caribbean

Most of the countries that participate in this block do not have any relation with chemical

weapons, since the evolution of the chemical weapons strated in Europe and Asia, America is

apart of the use of it, but in this problem the help that this countries give to the people that

have been affected by chemical weapons, is very useful and important in order to ensure the

health of the people.

● Asia-Pacific

Asia is the most related with the chemical weapons since most of the countries in it can

produce different kind of weapons and some countries in it are related in nowadays chemical

weapons attacks. In this area the countries which are the most related to this kind of weapons

are: China, Japan, North Korea, Laos and Kampuchea. All of this have been in touch with

chemical weapons at one point or another. Asia has 53 member in the OPCW (Organization

for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons).

● Middle East Group

This group may be the one with the least power to create this type of weapons, however they

are all very familiar with it since at one point or another they have used chemical weapons in

conflicts that have been created inside their territory.

The extremist groups that are located in this places, have access to this type of weapons and

they have already used it to attack different places in middle east.

VI. SOURCES

● Boeglin, N. (2017) “Chemical Weapons in Syria and the UN Security Council: No

Resolution Adopted” Global Research Consulted on: April 2017. Retrieved from:

http://www.globalresearch.ca/chemical-weapons-in-syria-and-the-un-security-council-

no-resolution-adopted/5585289

● Everts, S. (2015) “When Chemicals Became Weapons of War” CenMag Consulted on:

April 2017. Retrieved from: http://chemicalweapons.cenmag.org/when-chemicals-

became-weapons-of-war/

● Glass, A. (2009) “Chemical weapons curbed, June 1 1990” Politico Consulted on:

April 2017 Retrieved from: http://www.politico.com/story/2009/06/chemical-

weapons-curbed-june-1-1990-023143

● Hansen, J. (2009) “The Allies and The Use of Gas WWII” TheNewsTurner Consulted

on: April 2017. Retrieved from: http://rense.com/general83/gas.htm

● Harigel, G. G. (2001) “Chemical and Biological Weapons: Use in Warfare, Impact on

Society and Environment” Waging Peace Consulted on: April 2017. Retrieved from:

https://www.wagingpeace.org/chemical-and-biological-weapons-use-in-warfare-

impact-on-society-and-environment/

● Kimball, D. (2017) “The Chemical Weapons Convention CWC at a Glance”

Consulted on: September 2017 Retrieved from:

https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/cwcglance

● Mackie, J. (2014) “The first poison gas attack: In 1915 at Ypres” The Great War

Consulted on: April 2017. Retrieved from: http://ww1.canada.com/battlefront/the-

first-poison-gas-attack-in-1915-at-ypres

● Miller, G (1993) “The Battle of 3rd Ypres” The World War I Document Archive

Consulted on: April 2017 Retrieved from:

http://www.gwpda.org/comment/ypres3.html

● Smith-Spark, L., Cohen, T. (2013) “U.S., Russia agree to framework on Syria

chemical weapons” CNN Consulted on: April 2017 Retrieved from:

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/14/politics/us-syria/

● W.A. (2015) “Adopting Resolution 2209 (2015), Security Council Condemns the use

of Chlorine Gas as Weapon in Syria” United Nations Consulted on: April 2017.

Retrieved from: https://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc11810.doc.htm

● W.A. (2016) “Brief History of Chemical Weapons Use” Organisation for the

Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Consulted on: April 2017 Retrieved from

https://www.opcw.org/about-chemical-weapons/history-of-cw-use/

● W.A. (2017) “Chemical weapons” United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs

Consulted on: April 2017. Retrieved from:

https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/chemical/

● W.A. (2001) “Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000” International Committee of

the Red Cross Consulted on: April 2017 Retrieved from: https://ihl-

databases.icrc.org/ihl-nat/0/164866951E2916FBC1256A1E003E3FA5

● W.A. (2016) “Gas Mask Development during World War I” Organisation for the

Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Consulted on: April 2017. Retrieved from

https://www.opcw.org/fileadmin/OPCW/Science_Technology/A0_Gas_Mask-01.pdf

● W.A. (2005) “Genesis and Historical Development” Organisation for the Prohibition

of Chemical Weapons” Consulted on: September 2017 Retrieved from:

https://www.opcw.org/chemical-weapons-convention/genesis-and-historical-

development/

● W.A. (1925) “1925 Geneva Protocol” United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs

UNODA Consulted on: April 2017. Retrieved from:

https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/bio/1925-geneva-protocol/

● W.A. (2014) “History U.S. Chemical Weapon Elimination” Center for Disease

Control and Prevention Consulted on: April 2017 Retrieved from:

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/demil/history.htm

● W.A. (2007) “Iraq’s Chemical Warfare Program” Central Intelligence Agency CIA

Consulted on: April 2017 Retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/reports/general-

reports-1/iraq_wmd_2004/chap5.html

● W.A. (2013) “Resolution 2118 (2013)” United Nations Security Council Consulted

on: April 2017. Retrieved from:

http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-

CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_res_2118.pdf

● W.A. (2013) “Security Council Requires Scheduled Destruction of Syria’s Chemical

Weapons, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2118 (2013)” United Nations Consulted

on: April 2017. Retrieved from: https://www.un.org/press/en/2013/sc11135.doc.htm

● W.A. (2014) ”Were chemical weapons used in World War II? Consulted on April

2017 Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com/Did-Chinese-army-use-chemical-or-

biological-weapons-in-the-Second-Sino-Japanese-war-1937-1945

VII. RECOMMENDED SOURCES

● https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/chemical/

● https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/cwcglance

● https://www.opcw.org/about-chemical-weapons/history-of-cw-use/

● https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/bio/1925-geneva-protocol/

● https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/04/world/middleeast/syria-gas-attack.html

● http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56499#.WcctSFLmHUp ● https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/apr/07/us-syria-response-donald-trump-

assad-pentagon-live

VIII. ANNEXES

i. W.A. (2017) “United Nations Security Council” EmpireMunC Consulted on: August

2017. Retrieved from: http://www.empiremunc.org/oas/

ii. Melton, M. (2016) “June 1 Marks Historic Start of Chemical Weapons Reduction”

VoaNews Consulted on: August 2017. Retrieved from:

https://www.voanews.com/a/chemical-weapons-reduction-anniversary/3357786.html

iii. Saxena, V. (2017) “US strike: 4 soldiers dead, Syria claims airbase was being used to

fight ISIS” India Today Consulted on: August 2017. Retrieved from:

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/syria-strike-us-missile/1/922694.html