The Secretary-General’s investigations of alleged

use of chemical, biological or

toxin weaponsPresentation by

United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs

Sixth Review Conference of BWC:

The Conference invites the Security Council: … (ii) to request, if it deems necessary and in accordance with its resolution 620 of 1988, the United Nations Secretary-General to investigate the allegation of use, using the technical guidelines and procedures contained in Annex I of United Nations Document A/44/561; … (iii) to inform each State Party of the results of any investigation initiated under this Article and to consider promptly any appropriate further action which may be necessary.

The Conference notes that the Secretary-General’s investigation mechanism, set out in A/44/561 and endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 45/57, represents an international institutional mechanism for investigating cases of alleged use of biological or toxin weapons. The Conference notes in this regard General Assembly resolution 60/288 (2006).

The Mechanism and BWC

Mandate for investigations

General Assembly Requests the Secretary-General to carry out promptly investigations

in response to reports that may be brought to his attention by any Member State concerning the possible use of chemical and bacteriological (biological) or toxin weapons that may constitute a violation of the 1925 Geneva Protocol or other relevant rules of customary international law in order to ascertain the facts of the matter, and to report promptly the results of any such investigation to all Member States” (resolution A/RES/42/37C of 1987)

Security Council Encourages the Secretary-General to carry out promptly

investigations in response to allegations brought to his attention by any Member State concerning the possible use of chemical and bacteriological (biological) or toxic weapons…….., in order to ascertain the facts of the matter, and to report the results (Resolution S/RES/620 of 1988)

Fact-finding MechanismFact-finding Mechanism

The Secretary-General’s Mechanism

Key Elements

S-G Mechanism

Guidelines and ProceduresRoster of Experts and

Laboratories

Technical guidelines and procedures (A/44/561 of 1989 and endorsement by the GA (A/RES/45/57 of 1990)

Coverage: Launching an investigation Role of consultants, experts, laboratories Preparations and conduct of fact-finding missions Technical procedures for fact-finding activities Drafting and content of report

General Assembly resolution “UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (A/RES/60/288 (2006): Member States encourage the Secretary-General to update the roster of experts and laboratories, as well as the technical guidelines and procedures, available to him for the timely and efficient investigation of alleged use

2007 Update of the appendices to the technical guidelines and procedures by the group of experts and representatives of international organizations

Reinvigoration of the Mechanism:Guidelines & Procedures

Reinvigoration of the Mechanism: Secretary-General’s Roster

Ongoing update of the roster of experts and laboratories

Currently: Experts – ~300 & Laboratories - >42

Scope of in-country mission activities Main purpose: collect “as many facts as possible’

Basic facts to be collected for assessment:Basic facts to be collected for assessment: nature and extent of any attacknature and extent of any attack its consequencesits consequences Effects of attack on victims and environmentEffects of attack on victims and environment

Additional tasks: As soon as possible provide estimate on possible victims and type of As soon as possible provide estimate on possible victims and type of

injuries to the S-G for provision of aidinjuries to the S-G for provision of aid Report any information obtained on the possible originReport any information obtained on the possible origin of CBT weapons

used Mode of operations: Mode of operations:

Carried out rapidly after a request is receivedCarried out rapidly after a request is received Rapid AccessRapid Access Least intrusive mannerLeast intrusive manner Respect of laws and regulationsRespect of laws and regulations Meeting with representatives of international organizations present in Meeting with representatives of international organizations present in

the countrythe country

Fact-finding activities:Site(s) of alleged use

Locate site(s) precisely

Examine terrain, vegetation and animal life

Degree of contamination

In situ detection and analysis

Collect biomedical samples

Collect physical evidence

Ultimate Objective:

Impartial, effective and operational tool for investigation of alleged use drawing upon the highest level of expertise and cadre of trained experts

Reinvigoration of the Mechanism