General Assembly I QUESTION OF ELIMINATION OF WHITE PHOSPHORUS WEAPONS Seung Youn (Ashley) Shin Lead Chair of GA I
Introduction Chemical Weapons have been used in warfare for centuries, and since the discovery of phosphorus in the 1600s, humans have been using the substance for various activities and products. A particular variant of the phosphorus, the white phosphorus (WP), is mainly used for signaling and marking purposes in warfare. However, some nations, within the last few decades, have been utilizing WP with a different intent- to kill. The WP may affect enemy soldiers, but innocent civilians as well. Protocols are already in place, however, non-signatories and problems with implementation of conventions and protocols still remain. Furthermore, WP is used throughout society in various household goods, making the process more difficult. It is important that a solution can be found in which nations can still use WP for their original purposes such as cleaning products and marking in warfare without damaging other soldiers or even civilians.
Definition of Key Terms Munitions: Defined as weapons and ammunition used in war. Incendiary Weapon: Defined as weapons designed to destroy objects of harm people through flame, heat or a combination produced by a chemical reaction. These weapons include white phosphorus. White Phosphorus: Used for signaling, screening, and incendiary purposes. When used, it can hinder the opponent s vision but also destroy equipment as it is highly flammable. It can cause severe chemical burns. Chemical Weapons: A device that uses chemicals specifically designed to hurt or kill others. Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC): Arms Control Treaty that outlaws the use, transport, stockpile and production of chemical weapons. Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCWC): Created in 1980 to prohibit use of modern weapons such as incendiary weapons (Protocol III). Does not include an enforcement article.
Topic Summary: History Phosphorus was first discovered by an alchemist named Henning Brandt in 1669. However, the first time white phosphorus was used in explicitly in war was during World War I. The American, Commonwealth and Japanese had used bombs and other weapons containing the material. The chemical was also used later in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. In those cases, they were mostly used as incendiary weapons and signalers. White phosphorus is not considered a chemical weapon under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) if it is used in non-harmful activities such as signaling. When the toxic properties of white phosphorus is used, then it is considered a chemical weapon. Surprisingly, white phosphorus is used in a variety of different products, such as food additives, fertilizers and cleaning compounds. Since it is used in daily goods, it will be impossible to completely ban this chemical.
Topic Summary: Effects & Cases White Phosphorus can be dangerous, especially when used against people. The firing of the white phosphorus results in chemical burn injuries, usually of second to third degree. Once a person comes into contact with the phosphorus, the phosphorus will continue to burn until the chemical is used up. Despite these severe effects, there have been many modern instances of nations using white phosphorus against other armies and even against civilians. Most notably, in 2004, during a military offensive against the Iraq city of Fallujah, the United States was known to have used white phosphorus as an incendiary weapon. The attack was rumored to have affected civilians as well.
Topic Summary: Issue The use of white phosphorus is dealt with in the Protocol III of the Convention on Conventional Weapons. The protocol defines incendiary weapons as any weapon or munitions primarily designed to set fire to objects or to cause burn injuries to persons through the actions of flame, heat, or combination thereof, and restricts use of these weapons in warfare. The Chemical Weapons Convention also banned the development, transfer, and use of chemical weapons, and mandated the destruction of existing chemical weapons. However, white phosphorus is not considered a chemical weapon, unless it is specifically used for malicious intent. The problem with these international conventions is that a few of the important parties have not signed nor ratified the conventions. This includes nations such as Israel and Myanmar, who have used chemical weapons in the past, but also, South Sudan, North Korea, Egypt, Vietnam and Angola. The non-universality of these conventions undermines the stringent control of the use of white phosphorus. Also, stockpiles of white phosphorus exist in the world, owned by many nations, such as the UK, that have already signed protocols prohibiting the use and spread of the WP weapons. It is crucial to establish and ensure that these stockpiles are not used during wartime.
Major Parties Involved Israel: Israel has used chemical weapons in the past, most notably in Lebanon in 2006, and Gaza in 2009. Israel also has not ratified the CWC. United States: Although the United States has signed the Protocol III and CWC, has been accused of using white phosphorus against Iraq and Afghanistan. Myanmar: Myanmar police deployed white phosphorus weapons against a protest 2012. Like Israel, it has not ratified the CWC, putting it at a risk of using WP in the future. Russia: In 1995, the Russian army deployed in Grozny would use white phosphorus weapons. Syria: In 2012-2013, it was rumored that WP weapons had been used in Syria. United Kingdom: United Kingdom s minister admitted to owning stockpiles of white phosphorus in 2009. These situations are particularly alarming, as the weapons on still on hand. UK has signed all protocols related to WP. Human Rights Watch: The HRW has been working to try to ban use of all incendiary weapons on civilians through strengthening the Protocol III, but also looking at a complete ban of the substance.
Timeline 1916, Members from a workers union were convicted for plotting to use phosphorus. 1944, The US battalion alone uses white phosphorus during World War II. It was used throughout the war on both sides, the Allied and the Axis. 1980, Convention of Certain Conventional Weapons restricts use of harmful incendiary weapons during wars and conflict. 1988, Saddam Hussein s regime uses white phosphorus during the Iran-Iraq War. 1992, The Chemicals Weapons Convention prohibits production, stockpiling, movement and use of chemicals and calls for the existing stockpiles to be destroyed. 2004, US armies used white phosphorus and other chemicals and explosives to bomb buildings in a famous incident in Fallujah, Iraq. 2008, Israeli military uses white phosphorus during the Gaza War.
UN Involvement Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to have Indiscriminate Effects (CCWC), Protocol III (Incendiary Weapons). Chemical Weapons Convention. Participation in the CCWC (2009)
Possible Solutions 1. Universally signed protocol The problem with the protocols not being universally signed is that some nations still possess chemical weapons, including white phosphorus. All nations are subject to conventions made by the OPCW, except a few nations that still have not agreed on any protocol. To eliminate further white phosphorus usage, setting up incentives for nations to sign the existing protocols will be beneficial for the international community. Also, more action may need to be taken so that countries already signed onto protocols do not use white phosphorus in the future. The CCWC does not have many enforcement forces nor systems in place. 2. Find and utilize an alternative Unfortunately, white phosphorus, although a potentially deathly chemical, is difficult to prohibit. This is because the substance is used often in daily living equipment such as food additives and cleaning compounds. Therefore, the existence of white phosphorus itself cannot be banned without stakes in daily living equipment. Alternatives to white phosphorus that can be used in these everyday products that are not as dangerous, could also be a good way to further counter the use of this harmful substance.
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