Investigating Allegations of Chemical or Biological Warfare: The Canadian Contribution

The 1925 Geneva Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare unequivocally makes the use of chemical and biological weapons an illegitimate means of waging war. Yet enforcement of the Protocol is hindered by the lack of an investigative mechanism to provide prompt and effective verification of an alleged violation. In response to controversy stemming from this omission, in 1982 the General Assembly requested that the Secretary-General enlist the assistance of experts to investigate alleged breaches of the Protocol and relevant rules of customary international law, devise procedures for timely and efficient investigation, and document information relating to the identification of chemical and biological warfare agents. In 1984 the Secretary-General submitted his Report on Chemical and Bacteriological (Biological) Weapons to the General Assembly, which included the provisional procedures recommended by the Group of Consultant Experts. Deeply concerned about the use of such weapons, and perceiving a need for more extensive guidance on the subject, the Canadian Government prepared the Handbook for the Investigation of Allegations of the Use of Chemical or Biological Weapons and presented it to the Secretary-General on December 4, 1985.