TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The use of chemical weapons in armed conflicts has long been a critical issue in international humanitarian law, as they cause extreme pain, both physically and psychologically.
One of the striking historical events linked to chemical weapons is the use of poison gas during World War I, which resulted in millions of casualties among both military personnel and civilians. Its terrible impact prompted the international community to reject its use and to formulate various legal agreements to ban such weapons.
Recently, the intelligence agencies of Germany and the Netherlands have discovered the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, accusing Russia of deploying them. Citing Anadolu, on Friday, July 4, 2025, these intelligence agencies stated that Russia's use of chemical substances is no longer limited to tear gas, but also chlorine, a deadly toxic substance when exposed in an enclosed space.
The 1925 Geneva Protocol specifically bans the use of poison gas and biological weapons in warfare. Subsequently, the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) reinforced this ban by encompassing the aspects of production, storage, and destruction of all chemical weapons. This convention came into force in 1997 and has been ratified by 193 countries.
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is responsible for ensuring compliance with this convention.
There are several key reasons why the use of chemical weapons is universally condemned.
The first reason is the immense humanitarian impact of chemical weapons. These weapons cause severe injuries, damage to internal organs, lifelong disability, and excruciating pain. Their effects do not discriminate and can affect both military and civilian populations, including children and women. Moreover, survivors often experience long-term psychological trauma.
Second, chemical weapons cannot be precisely controlled, so the dissemination through air, soil, or water poses a risk of spreading outside of combat zones. Wind or rain can carry chemical substances to unforeseen regions, including other countries, which increases their hazard levels.
Third, chemical weapon use is extremely damaging to the environment. Soil and water can become contaminated, and ecosystems destroyed, all of which last for years—even during times of peace. This makes chemical weapons not only a threat to human beings but also to environmental sustainability.
Chemical weapon use also contradicts the principles of international humanitarian law, which assert that weapons of war must not cause unnecessary suffering and must differentiate between combatants and non-combatants. Such weapons violate both of these principles because their use often lacks a legitimate military purpose and targets civilian populations.
Despite being universally banned, reality paints a different picture. The use of chemical weapons remains seen in various war zones, such as Syria and Ukraine. The UN and OPCW continue to run investigations and verifications and urge the destruction of remaining chemical weapons in several countries.
Editor’s Choice: Chemical Weapons Deemed Among the Deadliest
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Top Priorities for 2025 BRICS Summit in Brazil
43 menit lalu
At the 2025 BRICS Summit in Brazil, discussions focused on global governance reform, environmental issues, and global health.
BRICS Leaders Denounce Military Strikes on Iran as Breaches of International Law
1 jam lalu
The condemnation was part of a joint declaration issued at the BRICS Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7, 2025.
Chemical Weapons Deemed Among the Deadliest
3 jam lalu
The Netherlands and Germany accuse Russia of using chemical weapons in the Ukraine conflict.
Ukraine Strikes Russian Electronic Weapons Facility as Putin and Trump Speak on Phone
11 jam lalu
Ukraine targets a Russian military facility in Cheboksary, a day after Russia launched its largest aerial attack on Ukraine since the invasion began.
Xi Jinping's No-Show at BRICS Summit Fuels Political Speculation
22 jam lalu
The Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and will be represented by the Prime Minister Li Qiang instead.
Russia Accused of Using Deadly Chemical Weapons in Ukraine
1 hari lalu
German and Dutch intelligence agencies have accused Russia of increasingly using dangerous chemical weapons such as chloropicrin in the war in Ukraine.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Makes First Public Appearance Since Iran-Israel War
1 hari lalu
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared in public during the Asyura event after spending time in a bunker during the Iran-Israel war.
10 Countries with the Most Time Zones, France on Top
2 hari lalu
The countries with the most time zones spread out widely from Europe to the borders of Australia, factored by multiple fascinating reasons.
Russia Launches Massive Attack on Ukraine After Putin-Trump Phone Call
2 hari lalu
Russia's massive air strike on Ukraine was launched after Trump and Putin were on a phone call.
Top Russian General Reportedly Killed by Ukrainian Missile Strike
2 hari lalu
Mikhail Gudkov, the Russian Navy's deputy commander, was hit by a missile during the war with Ukraine.
