Peace & Security Salon Bio/Chemical Weapons

Abstract

Biological and chemical weapons continue to form a threat to worldwide peace and security. On Wednesday 11 May the Peace Palace Library will organize a third Peace & Security Salon. During this event three speakers will provide different perspectives on the use of biological and chemical weapons. The speakers will also pay attention to possible threats and future developments concerning the use of these weapons. Whereas biological weapons consist of living microorganisms that can cause deadly infectious diseases, chemical weapons are manmade toxic chemicals. Efforts to ban these WMD have been made for over 100 years.

Biological and chemical weapons, both weapons of mass destruction (WMD), continue to form a threat to worldwide peace and security. Whereas biological weapons consist of living microorganisms that can cause deadly infectious diseases  (e.g. smallpox, anthrax and the plague), chemical weapons are manmade toxic chemicals (e.g. sarin nerve gas, tear gas, chlorine, and phosgene). Both types of weapons can cause severe diseases. Chemical weapons are mostly used against people. Biological weapons on the other hand can cause severe harm or death to  both humans, plants and animals.

Efforts to ban these WMD have been made for over 100 years. For example, see the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (Chemical Weapons Convention) and the the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (Biological Weapons Convention).

On Wednesday 11 May the Peace Palace Library will organize a third Peace $ Security Salon. During this event three speakers will provide different perspectives on the use of biological and chemical weapons. The speakers will also pay attention to possible threats and future developments concerning the use of these weapons.

The Peace & Security Salons are open to all those interested in international law and international peace and security and provide an opportunity for the public to witness and participate in an in-depth discussion of a specific topic. The Salon will take place in an informal setting with room for discussion. The language will be English.

More information about the programme:

The salon is scheduled to take place in the evening of Wednesday 11 May 2016:

Time: 19.30 – 22.30 hrs (doors open at 18.30).

Venue: Peace Palace, Academy Building, Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ, The Hague.

Entrance fee: 7, 50 euro.

If you wish to attend the salon, please do not forget to register and pay here before Monday 9 May.

Please note that the number of seats is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

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