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The recent conflict between Ukraine and Russia has brought to light an alarming development: the accusation that Russian forces are deploying phosphorus bombs, a form of chemical weapon, in the Lugansk and Donetsk regions of eastern Ukraine. The area is known collectively as the Donbas region. This potential use of chemical weapons in heavily populated civilian areas is prohibited by international law, which only permits their use in open spaces for military cover.
Understanding Phosphorus Bombs
Phosphorus bombs make use of white phosphorus, one of the common allotropes of the chemical element phosphorus. This substance is pyrophoric, meaning it ignites upon coming into contact with air, and burns fiercely, potentially igniting cloth, fuel, ammunition, and other combustibles. White phosphorus is also found in smoke, illumination, and burning elements of tracer ammunition.
By reacting with air, white phosphorus produces a blanket of phosphorus pentoxide vapour, making it a highly efficient smoke-producing agent. Injuries from white phosphorus munitions can occur directly from casing fragments or indirectly through burn injuries and vapour inhalation.
Defining Chemical Weapons
Chemical weapons are chemicals intentionally used to cause death or harm due to their toxic properties. Devices, munitions, and equipment designed to weaponize such chemicals are also classified as chemical weapons.
International Law on Chemical Weapons Usage
The prohibition of chemical weapons is enforced by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), a multilateral treaty that bans these weapons and mandates their destruction within a specified timeframe. The drafting of the CWC began in 1980 at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament and was concluded in September 1992. The convention came into effect in April 1997.
Member nations are required to destroy old and unused chemical weapons, and declare any riot-control agents in their possession. India became a signatory in January 1993, and later passed the Chemical Weapons Convention Act in 2000 to implement the CWC.
The convention prohibits the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, or retention of chemical weapons. It also bans the transfer and use of chemical weapons, aiding other states in prohibited activities, and the use of riot-control devices as methods of warfare.
The Australia Group’s Role
In addition to the CWC, the Australia Group is an initiative aimed at preventing the proliferation of chemical or biological weapons. It serves as an informal forum for countries to harmonize export controls, ensuring that exports do not contribute to the development of such weapons.
Established in 1985 after Iraq used chemical weapons during the Iran-Iraq War, the Australia Group assists member nations in fulfilling their obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and Biological & Toxin Weapons Convention. With 43 members, including the European Union, the group operates on a consensus basis and holds annual meetings in Paris, France.
India joined the Australia Group on January 19, 2018, becoming its 43rd member after being admitted through a consensus decision.
International Agreements Regarding Chemical Weapons
In 2020, several international agreements regarding chemical weapons were discussed, including the Alma-Ata Declaration on Healthcare of the People, Hague Convention on Biological and Chemical Weapons, Talanoa Dialogue on Global Climate Change, and Under2 Coalition on Child Rights. Among these pairs, only the Alma-Ata Declaration and the Talanoa Dialogue were correctly matched.
