Public Law Studies Quarterly

The Functional Challenges Facing the Prohibition of Biological Weapons

Document Type : Article

Authors

Farzane Poorsaid 1
Mahmoud Jalali 2
Masoud Raei 3

1 PhD in International Law, Science and Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Law Department, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Law Faculty, Islamic Azad University, Najaf Abad Branch, Najaf Abad, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22059/jplsq.2020.305081.2487
Abstract
The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, whether naturaly or designed in biological laboratories with strategic goals, is an alarm bell in regard to biological threats. Extensive development of biological sciences and the possibility of genetic manipulations remind us of the possibility of genocide and generational abuse, and the increasing threats of bio-terrorism intensify this concern. This demonstrates the necessity  to strengthen the universal efforts for the destruction of biological weapons and their agents. The main obligations under the biological weapons prohibition system are outlined in the 1972 Convention on Prevention of Biological Weapons (BWC). But the lack of oversight by the monitoring body, as well as the lack of sufficient and independent guarantees to monitor violations of obligations, have made the effect of its function impaired and ambiguous. Identifying biological scientists, compiling codes of conduct and limiting terrorists access are among the strategies that can be made possible only in a new multilateral and comprehensive instrumentt which includes provision of an independent international monitoring body and sufficient guarantees.

Keywords

supervisory challenge
biological weapons
BWC
supervisory body

  1. English

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Public Law Studies Quarterly
Volume 54, Issue 1
Spring 2024
Spring 2024
Pages 405-427

  • Receive Date 12 July 2020
  • Revise Date 29 August 2020
  • Accept Date 09 November 2020

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