Disarmament AND International Security Committee

DISAR MAMENT
IMUNC'19
AND
INTER NATIO NAL
SEC U R ITY
C O MMITTEE
The Question of Countering Terrorist Networks
The Issue of Biological and Chemical Weapons
INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE 2019
Disarmament and International Security Committee
FOREWORD
Greetings Delegates,
Welcome to the Disarmament and International Security Committee at IMUNC 2019! DISEC
is first of the six main committees of the United Nations General Assembly headquartered in
New York. It deals with disarmament, global challenges and threats to peace which affect the
global community. DISEC deals with topics that center around disarmament, global issues, and
threats to peace that jeopardize international security. Under Article 11 of Chapter IV of the
UN Charter, “The General Assembly may consider the general principles of co-operation in
the maintenance of international peace and security, including the principles governing
disarmament and the regulation of armaments.”
At IMUNC 2019, you will be tackling two pertinent issues to global security and peace. These
issues have long been heard and acted upon by various organs of the United Nations in times
of despair. Prompt actions have been taken by the Security Council in times of crisis, however,
past actions have failed to truly address the issues in a manner that is sustainable and would
deal with the problem(s) in the time to come. As such, the dais would be pleased to see
delegates working in tandem to come to a comprehensive solution to the issue at hand whilst
ensuring they represent their country and stance in the best manner possible.
The Primary issue will focus on the modern “War on Terrorism”. The discussion will mainly
revolve around the systematic dismantling of terrorist networks - given our current capacity to
combat terrorism in terms of resources and technology. With recent advancements in our
technological capabilities and a greater intelligence of how terrorist groups operate, modern
counter-terrorism activities should include efforts made to prevent the dissemination of online
propaganda, as well as undermining financial funding to militant groups.
The Secondary issue will be pertaining to the use of biological and chemical weapons by
countries. will be focused on the feasibility of mitigating or prohibiting the use of biological
and chemical weaponry on an international level where current regulatory flaws must be
addressed. After all, should politicians - democratically or socially appointed - have the
authority to unleash such deadly attacks on alleged ‘potential threats’, the consequences could
be detrimental to the world order.
Swords Into Ploughshares

1 of 30
We are honoured to have the opportunity to chair this committee at IMUNC 2019 and look
forward to your active participation at the conference.
Aaditya Tibarewala, Head Chair

Dylan Marc Cheong, Vice Chair
Sagar Sharma, Vice Chair

2 of 30
THE QUESTION OF COUNTERING TERRORIST NETWORKS
INTRODUCTION
In recent times, there has been an alarming uptick in terrorist activities and operations carried
out around the globe. Over the last decade, the number of terrorist incidents has increased by
almost three-fold, with the number of fatalities from terrorist attacks reaching an all-time high
in 2014 with 44,490 deaths.1
While there is no universally agreed-upon definition for “terrorist”, the term broadly refers to
any party that uses force or aggression as a means to spread fear among the masses, often to
achieve political or ideological aims. No one can deny the lasting impact that terrorist attacks
leave behind. The televised destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11th 2001,
the 2009 storming of the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai and the abduction of 57 schoolgirls from
their hometown of Chibok, Nigeria in April 2014 are such events that stand out from recent
memory.2 While in most parts of the world acts of terrorism are relatively rare events, the
amounts of damage and suffering they can inflict, devastating enough to shake whole countries
to their cores, should not be overlooked.
With terrorist organisations like Al-Qaeda, ISIS and Boko Haram rising to contemporary
prominence, the word “terrorist” has almost become synonymous with ideas of radical Islam
and Islamic extremism. The rise in terrorist activity came in conjunction with general political
instability in the Middle East in the 21st century, much of which can be traced back to the Arab
Spring in late 2010, and a socio-political shift towards more religious ideologies. Yet,
throughout history, nationalist groups are frequent parties that fit the definition of a “terrorist”,
propagating radical ideological messages through terror and violence. Perhaps equally of a
threat is the emergence of secular militant groups with charged political or even environmental
agendas. While it is easy to dismiss such groups as irrelevant next to the cult-like status that
modern Islamic terrorist groups have been elevated to, one can argue that their impact on the
very foundations of political and social order are equally massive.
1 "Terrorism", accessed December 08, 2018, https://ourworldindata.org/terrorism

2 "Terrorist attacks", accessed December 08, 2018, https://storymaps.esri.com/stories/terrorist-attacks/

3 of 30
Another important factor to be considered when addressing the modern state of terrorism is the
development of the internet. Recently, with great advancements in our technology, terrorists
have brought their crusade into the realm of the cyberspace. In this day and age, nations must
consider how to root out and take down terrorist networks, how to secure states from terrorist
attacks, and how to mitigate any damage caused by attacks. Simultaneously, states also need
to address the reasons for terrorism and directly tackle the problem at its roots, with the ultimate
aim of eliminating terrorism fully.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY
History of terrorism
Contrary to popular belief, terrorism is not a creation of the 21st Century. Terrorist acts and
organisations have been present since the 11th Century, where deadly assassins called the
Hashishin were employed by Islamic religious leaders to target and kill powerful military and
political figures.3 Even during the French revolution from 1789 to 1799, fear was used as a tool
to reap political gains under the Jacobins’ rule of France, aptly named “The Reign of Terror”.
4
Under more stable political climates during the 20th Century, terrorist tactics became more
widely used by anarchist movements and non-governmental groups. The “anarchist” wave of
terrorism grew out of deep-seated dissatisfaction with the contemporary status quo. The
Serbian terrorist group known as the Black Hand were infamous for single-handedly igniting
the first World War with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914. In the late
20th Century modern age, anti-colonial movements saw various methods being used to instil
fear among the general populous, with the aim of liberating certain states. During the Vietnam
War, the Viet Minh was known to stage bombings in populated areas of Vietnam with the
intent of spreading panic and chaos.
Our contemporary obsession with the “War On Terror” began with the September 11 attacks
that took place on the Twin Towers in New York and on the Pentagon just outside Washington,
DC. Prior to this event, violent Islamism had seen an uptick in the otherwise declining trend in
conflict following the Second World War and the Cold War.5 The source of this movement can
3 "The deadly vengeance of the hash eaters", accessed December 08, 2018,
4 "Origin of the term terrorism", accessed December 08, 2018, https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-
library/terrorism/origins-of-the-term-terrorism/
5 John Andrews, "The world in conflict", accessed December 09, 2018

4 of 30
be traced back to the 1979 Iranian revolution which saw a state reconciliation with traditional
Islam teachings and Sharia law. The Soviet occupation of Afghanistan during the 1980s also
provided training bases for volunteers from all over the world.6 In fact, the militarist Islamist
group Al-Qaeda was founded with the intention of driving Soviet forces out of Afghanistan but
expanded their operations to include the decimation of the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon. The resultant September 11th attacks were more symbolic than anything else - Al-
Qaeda wanted to shatter the illusion that the world’s largest economic and military power, was
infallible.7 These attacks, under the leadership of Osama Bin Laden, resulted in the death of
near 3000 American citizens while also leading the US to begin the now famous “War on
Terror”, an international military campaign to root out terrorism. This US-led effort
commenced with the invasion of Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, and eventually expanded to
include the occupation of other allegedly terrorist-sponsoring states such as Iraq and Syria.8 In
part because of this anti-terrorism effort, other terrorist organisations like ISIS and Boko Haram
rose to power and prominence.
Besides the well-known Islamic Terrorist networks, there also exist less prominent radical
nationalist groups and political outsiders who have made their marks as “terrorists”. The
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are Sri Lankan terrorists who grew out of a Tamil
nationalist movement that emerged in 1970 to counter widespread discrimination by the
Sinhalese majority. One can even argue that they pioneered the use of suicide vests to carry
out suicide-bomb attacks, targeting key government and military personnel.9 Responsible for
the assassinations of both the Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa in 1993 and Indian
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, the LTTE went on to claim 60,000 lives while displacing
thousands of Sri Lankans, spreading fear among both the Indian and Sri Lankan populations.
Interestingly, the LTTE centred their actions around a singular political agenda - the creation
of a Tamil Eelam, an independent state free from rule by the Sri Lankan government - rather
than a religious cause, In fact, many nationalist groups fall under the general description of
“terrorist” groups. Even the Irish Republican Army, a paramilitary group dedicated to
reunifying Ireland under the independent rule, resorted to spreading fear as a tool to undermine
6 "Terrorism: Its Past, Present, and Future Prospects", accessed December 09, 2018, https://www.ksk.edu.ee/wp-
content/uploads/2011/03/KVUOA_Toimetised_12-M%C3%A4nnik.pdf
8 Rapoport, David C., "Attacking Terrorism: Elements of a Grand Strategy", accessed December 09, 2018,
9 “What’s Behind the Terrorist Attacks in Sri Lanka?”, accessed March 19, 2019,
https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/04/21/whats-behind-the-terrorist-attacks-in-sri-lanka/

5 of 30
their opponents. The Ku Klux Klan and other race-affiliated hate groups like the Black Panthers
also ushered in a truly chaotic era, bringing entire communities under a reign of terror.
However, with the giant influx of religious terrorism in modern times, these other forms of
terrorist agendas have slowly faded into relative obscurity. Even though their impact on today’s
world order still remains as relevant as ever, our main discussion will revolve around
countering terrorism in the 21st century, with radical Islam assuming the predominant form of
terrorism in this current day and age. Consequently, the next few sections will detail the most
prominent groups.
Al Qaeda
Al-Qaeda is an Islamist militant network founded by Muslim cleric Osama Bin Laden and his
mentor Abdullah Azzam in the late 1980s. Al-Qaeda’s ultimate goal is to rid the world of
Western influence and replace governments with fundamentalist Islamic regimes to create a
unified Sunni caliphate, a subdivision of Islam.10 Originally created to drive the Soviet Union
out of Afghanistan and establish an Islamist government, Al-Qaeda’s operations have
expanded outside Afghan borders with their fighters taking up the “holy war” in foreign
lands.11
Al-Qaeda consists of a wide network of affiliates which include “Al-Qaeda in Iraq” (which
was renamed to “Islamic State of Iraq” in 2006), “Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb” or AQIM
for short, and “Al-Qaeda in Palestine”. Al-Qaeda has orchestrated terrorist attacks locally as
well as on a worldwide scale as well, with the group being most for known for its September
11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon which totalled around 3000
casualties, as well as a host of lesser attacks like the 2002 Bali Bombings which left 202
casualties.
Over time, Al-Qaeda has shrunk in presence and in popularity, overshadowed by its affiliates
like ISIS and Boko Haram. The assassination of Osama bin Laden by U.S. Navy Seals in May
2011 helped to serve a significant blow to the already weakened organization. However, Al-
Qaeda still remains a deadly threat with networks spread all around the world.
10 "al-Qaeda”, accessed December 09, 2018, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/al-qaeda-aka-al-qaida-al-qaida

11 ""al-Qaeda”, accessed December 09, 2018, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/al-qaeda-aka-al-qaida-al-qaida

6 of 30
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
ISIS, formally known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or the Islamic State of Iraq and the
Levant (ISIL), is a jihadist military group founded by ex-agents of Al-Qaeda residing in Iraq
and Syria, in response to the US military occupation of Iraq and Syria. After the toppling of
Saddam Hussein’s regime, Hussein loyalists, as well as Iraqi citizens generally dissatisfied
with US rule, conspired together to form ISIS. Originally a small-scale operation, ISIS slowly
grew to become the fearful force that it is now. The weakened Iraqi government, along with a
power vacuum left behind in Iraq after the withdrawal of US forces, allowed ISIS to consolidate
power and increase the frequency of its attacks.12
The end goal of the organization is to establish a Sunni Islamic State, which will cover the
entire Arabic world. They mainly aim to do so by conquering Europe and after that, the whole
world. As the Islamic State’s magazine, the “Dabiq”, aptly puts it, ISIS seeks to “fill the world
with the truth and justice of Islam and to put an end to the falsehood and tyranny of jahiliyyah
(state of ignorance)”. ISIS currently operates from its headquarters of Al-Raqqah in Syria. ISIS
has grown in presence over the years, even overshadowing their former parent organisation Al-
Qaeda. Many are attracted by their willingness, and even zeal at using extreme violence and
savage actions in their holy war against the West. ISIS has also used social media with a
slickness and professionalism that Al-Qaeda could never match. Ritualistic beheadings,
designed both to terrify and entice, are taped and propagated through online mediums to reach
millions of people. 13 It is because of their notable internet presence, that ISIS has gained
between an estimated 27,000 to 31,000 recruits from all over the world.
It is because of their international base that ISIS has been able to carry out a multitude of attacks
worldwide, posing a danger to global security. CNN claims that ISIS has carried out, or at least
inspired, 143 global attacks in 29 different states (other than Syria or Iraq), which includes
France, Belgium, Germany, the United States, Egypt, Turkey and Libya, totalling almost over
2043 victims. However, a joint coalition (led by the US) has gained much success in driving
out ISIS troops from Iraq and Syria, owing to airstrikes and other attacks performed by both
local and foreign security forces. The coalition was signed by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United
Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and the United States in September 2014,
12 "An Overview of ISIS”, accessed December 09, 2018, https://ing.org/an-overview-of-isis/


7 of 30
formally establishing an alliance between the countries aimed at countering ISIS. Other
countries have joined the coalition as well, such as the UK and France.
Boko Haram
Boko Haram is an extremist jihadist group based in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country.
The group was founded by Mohammed Yusuf, an influential Islamist cleric, in Maiduguri in
2002. Boko Haram began as an offshoot branch of ISIS based in Africa, and similar to ISIS,
aimed at creating a fundamentalist Islamic state with Sharia law. The name “Boko Haram” in
Arabic roughly translates to “Western Education is sin” in English and is clearly indicative of
the group’s anti-Western sentiments. The group emerged as a consequence of deep ethnic and
religious schisms within Nigeria.14 The country is roughly split into the Christian-occupied
South and the Muslim-dominated North. Religious tensions, political unrest, as well as decades
of widening poverty and economic inequality have all contributed towards the formation of the
group. As writer Chris Ngwodo puts it, “(Boko Haram) itself is an effect and not a cause; it is
a symptom of decades of failed government and elite delinquency finally ripening into social
chaos.”15
In August 2011, the militant group conducted a suicide bombing on a United Nations building
in Abuja. However, it was not until after Boko Haram abducted more than 270 schoolgirls from
their dormitory in the remote town of Chibok that they started to gain international attention.16
Other deplorable acts carried out by Boko Haram include burning villages, coordinating suicide
bombings and attacking schools in broad daylight. US intelligence has estimated Boko
Haram’s size to be between four to six thousand militants, while other analysts claim the group
to be as large as three times the size. In March 2015, Boko Haram officially pledged its
allegiance to ISIS, with its main sights set on establishing a new Sunni caliphate and spreading
the faith throughout the world.
14 "Nigeria’s battle with Boko Haram”, accessed December 09, 2018, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/nigerias-
battle-boko-haram
15 "Background briefing: What is Boko Haram", accessed December 09, 2018,
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/boko-haram
16 "Boko Haram: History and Context", accessed December 09, 2018,
http://oxfordre.com/africanhistory/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.001.0001/acrefore-9780190277734-
e-119

8 of 30
KEY PARTIES
United States of America

The United States of America (US) is a key member in the fight against modern, religious-
based terrorism. After the September 11 attacks, the US launched the “War on Terror”, an
international military campaign aimed at rooting out terrorist cells and holding terrorists
accountable for their actions. This commenced with the invasion of Afghanistan and led to the
subsequent occupation of Iraq and Syria. The US has found much success in their recent
counter-terrorism operations, with the successful assassination of Osama Bin Laden, the
founder of Al-Qaeda, in 2011 and 2160 jihadist militants taken out by increased drone strikes
since 2008. In 2014, the US created the Jeddah Communique, forming an official coalition
between several countries in an effort to reduce the influence of ISIS within the Middle East
region.17 However, US policy addressing terrorism has no certain future, with US President
Donald Trump formulating no clear plan of action yet. The clearest declaration of his stance
on terrorism is his 2016 travel ban on the immigration of people from specific regions having
links to terrorists. Trump’s nationalistic direction for the future of the United States could also
mean a decreased support for international efforts in combating terrorism worldwide,
evidenced by Trump’s recent pledge to withdraw US troops from Syria.18
France
France is also a significant part of the efforts to eliminate religion-based terrorism. The French
Republic was one of the first countries to suffer from an ISIS-coordinated attack. January 2015
saw the storming of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo’s headquarters by two gunmen
who allegedly had ties to ISIS. 19 Twelve people, including cartoonists, guests, and police
officers were killed. Just months after the attack, an organised attack consisting of suicide
bombings and public shootings took place in Paris, injuring 413 and killing a total of 113. Since
then, France has entered a state of red alert after the bombings which lasted almost two years.
Given its history with terrorism, it is thus no coincidence that France is actively carrying out
17“Jeddah Communique”, accessed March 19, 2018, http://time.com/5505452/donald-trump-syrian-war/

18 "Trump’s Pledge to Pull U.S. Out of Syria Meets Reality”, accessed February 2019,
http://time.com/5505452/donald-trump-syrian-war/
19 Charlie Hebdo attack: Three days of terror, accessed March 19, 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-
europe-30708237

9 of 30
airstrikes against ISIS-claimed territory, making noteworthy progress. France is also currently
assisting in fighting ISIS in their claimed state of Libya.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has suffered multiple terrorist attacks, including a spree of fire during an
Ariana Grande concert in Manchester that left 22 dead, and attacks just outside the Parliament
in Westminster, killing 4 and injuring 150 civilians. According to the country’s official
government website, the UK has provided over 1400 military personnel in assisting local
security forces in combating ISIS and conducting around a thousand airstrikes in ISIS-
dominated regions. The UK’s policy in combating the Islamic State and other affiliates have
managed to diminish areas occupied by ISIS by nearly half in Iraq and 20% in Syria.
The Russian Federation

Having a strong political agenda, the Russian Federation is also considered a key power in
combating terrorist issues. In 2016, Russia, supporting Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assad’s
regime, launched airstrikes against Sunni radical targets in Aleppo, Syria which successfully
eliminated a number of ISIS-based training centres. Furthermore, since Russia intervened in
the Syrian civil war since September 2015, Islamic State forces have been reduced by 35%.
The Russian Federation has seen some terrorist activities in the past, with the highlight being
the 2017 St. Petersburg Metro bombing, killing a total of 15 people.20 Russia has since put into
place a series of anti-terrorism laws which includes the Yarovaya law, a pair of bills expanding
the purview of law enforcement agencies and upgrading current methods in collecting relevant
counter-terrorism data.
Syrian Arab Republic

With President Bashar Al-Assad at the reign’s, it is no surprise that Syria continues to fight as
strongly as ever against the wave of religious terrorism. The conflict also arises from deep-
rooted tensions between the Shia majority backing Al-Assad’s regime, and other religious sects
including long-oppressed Sunni radicals. This culminated in the Syrian civil war, a long-
standing military conflict between Al-Assad’s government and rebel insurgents. It was during
this conflict, that saw an uptick in terrorist activities, stemming from the perceived brutality
20 "St Petersburg Metro Attack: Russia Police Arrest Eight." BBC News. April 06, 2017. Accessed May 08, 2019.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39514694.

10 of 30
and atrocities committed by Al-Assad against his own people. The conflict within Syria is
ongoing, with 10% of the country currently controlled by radical rebel groups and around 6%
held by ISIS. Yet, the Syrian Arab Republic has also been accused of sponsoring Shia terrorists
in their war against Sunni insurgents. The Syrian government’s stance against terrorism as a
whole has thus been shrouded in speculation and mystery.
Pakistan
Pakistan has long been accused of supporting terrorism. The United States and other countries
have long been frustrated with Pakistan’s persistent acquiescence to safe havens for the Afghan
Taliban and its vicious Haqqani branch in Pakistan.21 Worse yet, Pakistan has provided direct
military and intelligence aid to both groups, resulting in the deaths of U.S. soldiers, Afghan
security personnel, and civilians, plus significant destabilization of Afghanistan. In the recent
past, Pakistan has been accused of sponsoring numerous attacks in Kashmir, India. Former
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has admitted that Pakistan supported and trained terrorist
groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the 1990s to carry out militancy in Kashmir. In October
2010, former Pakistan President and former head of the Pakistan Army, Pervez Musharraf
revealed that Pakistani armed forces trained militant groups to fight Indian forces in Kashmir.22
Many Kashmiri militant groups designated as terrorist organisations by the US still maintain
their headquarters in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This is cited by the Indian government
as further proof that Pakistan supports terrorism. 23
European Union
The European Union is strongly against terrorism and has taken several measures to combat
the spread of terrorist measures online. Since June 2016 and the European Parliament’s Internal
Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) report on online platforms, the European
Union prepared a complete set of recommendations aiming at both organising the digital single
market and tackling illegal online content. The European Commission introduced, in
21 Khan, Sahar. "Double Game: Why Pakistan Supports Militants and Resists U.S. Pressure to Stop." Cato Institute.
September 20, 2018. Accessed May 08, 2019. https://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/double-game-
why-pakistan-supports-militants-resists-us-pressure-stop.
22 Pti. "Pakistan Supported, Trained Terror Groups: Musharraf." The Hindu. September 02, 2016. Accessed May
08, 2019. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/pakistan-supported-trained-terror-groups-

like-lashkaretaiba-pervez-musharraf/article7813284.ece.
23 :Musharraf admits Kashmir militants trained in Pakistan”, accessed May 05, 2019,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11474618

11 of 30
September 2017, a communication giving guidelines and principles on prevention, detection
and removal of illegal content online, including hatred, violence and terrorist propaganda. In
March 2018, the European Commission adopted a recommendation, including a set of non-
binding operational measures to be taken by online providers and Member States to tackle
illegal content online. Based on the principle that ‘what is illegal offline is illegal online”, the
Commission defines illegal content as any information which is not compliant with EU or
Member States law. This recommendation also indicates how to flag and process illegal content.
The recommendation also lists a set of measures aiming at reducing the spread of online
terrorist propaganda, notably forbidding the hosting of terrorist propaganda and the obligation
to remove it within one hour after being flagged by law enforcement authorities and Europe.
SCOPE OF DISCUSSION
Financial resources
Terrorist networks require financial funding to support their activities and to achieve their goals,
with financial resources including generating capital by the robbery of banks, pirating oil fields
and other criminal activities. With most terrorist organizations, the actual acts of terrorism are
relatively low-cost compared to the damage they inflict; nonetheless, the operational costs of
sustaining an organization are significant.
One aspect of financial systems which countries use to cripple organisations financially is
combatting money laundering. Terrorist cells exercise several methods to raise and “clean”
their money, ranging from illegal activities like organized fraud or narcotics to legitimate
funding sources, including charitable organizations or legitimate businesses. With ISIS and so
many other terrorist groups, their revenue streams are diversified and far-reaching. Regardless
of how they raise their capital, the end goal is to ultimately disguise the funds by exploiting
global financial systems. Detecting and reporting terrorist financing red flags is thus the most
effective way to combat terrorist financing and stop the flow of funds. addressing the problem
at its roots. Delegates should look into the possibility of stopping such financing at the root,
perhaps through bans on such imports of financing.
Policing Terrorist Influence online Internet

Secondly, the role that the internet plays in the spread of terrorism must be looked into. As
social media has developed during the 21st century, terrorist networks have made use of this
12 of 30
new technology to spread their message and recruit new members. Consequently, countries
have begun to introduce laws which hold social media companies, such as Facebook or Twitter,
accountable for offensive or extreme material and require these companies to take these
materials down. Delegates should look into the effectiveness of current measures and
ultimately determine how they can be improved and broadened to include a wider network of
countries.
Securing of borders
Thirdly, most counterterrorism legislation enacted by governments heavily focuses on the
protection of country borders against perceived threats to national security. Strategic plans to
secure national borders usually focus on apprehending terrorists and their weapons as they
attempt to enter illegally or legally between ports of entry. The scope of border security can be
expanded to include a discussion of border community engagement, improving border
technology solutions, training of border law enforcement officers and effective border
surveillance methods.
Intelligence and surveillance

Lastly, to select the effective action when terrorism appears, government organizations need to
understand the source, motivation, methods of preparation, and tactics of terrorist groups. Good
intelligence is at the heart of such preparation, as well as a political and social understanding
of any grievances that might be solved.
Most counter-terrorism strategies involve an increase in standard police and domestic
intelligence. The central activities are traditional: interception of communications and the
tracing of persons. New technology has, however, expanded the range of military and law
enforcement operations. Domestic intelligence is often directed at specific groups, defined on
the basis of origin or religion, which is a source of political controversy. Mass surveillance of
an entire population similarly raises objections on civil liberties grounds. Lastly, homegrown
terrorists, especially lone wolves24, are often harder to detect because of their citizenship or
legal status and ability to stay under the radar. Counterintelligence is thus a great challenge
with the security of cell-based systems. Financial tracking can play a role, as can
24 URL: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/lone-wolf-attacks-are-becoming-more-common-and-more-
deadly/, Website Title :PBS, Article Title: Lone Wolf Attacks Are Becoming More Common -- And More Deadly,
Date Accessed: May 05, 2019

13 of 30
communications intercept, but both of these approaches need to be balanced against legitimate
expectations of privacy.
SOLUTIONS
One viable way to combat terrorism is increasing international cooperation towards assisting
countries where terrorism is rife. The majority of countries in which terrorism thrives and
which produce the maximum number of terrorists are poverty ridden. As a result, most of the
governments of these countries neither have the financial resources nor the administrative
power to put in place measures which can effectively and actively combat terrorism. A solution
delegates may consider is coming up with a committee which partners with NGOs (Non-
Governmental Organisations) to appeal to and collect funds from both the public drives and
the government. In addition to collecting funds, delegates may want to consider the idea that
the organisation handles the dissemination of funds not just to countries but also within the
countries as terrorist-ridden countries have been infamous for their entrenched bureaucracy and
problems with corruption.
In addition, increasing information sharing and transparency among all countries is of another
possible avenue of approach. It is obviously necessary for countries where terrorist networks
are based to share information with countries which may be prospective victims of attacks.
This is particularly true with neighbouring countries, as terrorist networks often stretch across
borders. The creation of a private database accessible to information sharing countries can be
looked into by delegates.
Strengthening border security is another important consideration in combating terrorism.

Border security encompasses not only apprehending identified individuals but also passage of
terrorist funds and weaponry. Delegates may want to look into measures which can be taken to
reduce corruption along borders which leads to much of the discrepancy in border security.
The hiring of private security companies is one possible stop-gap measure until a more long-
term solution is found.

14 of 30
QARMA
1. What Immediate Measures can be put in place to mitigate terrorist attacks in the near
future?
2. To what extent will anti-terrorism measures be standardised across different countries,
after what point is standardisation considered a breach of sovereignty?
3. To what extent will a resolution passed make concessions for less economically
developed countries in the war against terrorism and what kind of aid will be provided
to these countries to help them in their fight against terrorism?
4. What long-term measures will a resolution passed by the council include? To what
extent are these feasible and to what extent will they be effective?
FURTHER READING
1. https://www.un.org/counterterrorism/ctitf/en/un-global-counter-terrorism-strategy -
Introduction to Gobal Counterterrorism policy
2. https://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/70/826 - Report by UN
Secretary General on decade long implementation of Global Counterterrorism policy
3. https://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/68/276 - 4th report on
effectiveness of Global Counterterrorism Policy
4. https://publications.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/3296.pdf - Article on The Al Queda
Organisation and the Islamic State Organisation
5. https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-
core/content/view/D4277E135B1F39B5885485BEDD34E7AC/S2056474017000095
a.pdf/terrorism_in_pakistan_the_psychosocial_context_and_why_it_matters.pdf -
Article on Terrorism in Pakisten
6. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/NSCT.pdf - US National
Counter Terrorism Policy

15 of 30
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. "Terrorism", accessed December 08, 2018, https://ourworldindata.org/terrorism

2. Terrorist attacks", accessed December 08, 2018,
https://storymaps.esri.com/stories/terrorist-attacks/
3. "Origin of the term terrorism", accessed December 08, 2018,
https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/terrorism/origins-of-the-term-terrorism/
4. "The deadly vengeance of the hash eaters", accessed December 08, 2018
5. John Andrews, "The world in conflict", accessed December 09, 2018
6. Terrorism: Its Past, Present, and Future Prospects", accessed December 09, 2018,
https://www.ksk.edu.ee/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/KVUOA_Toimetised_12-
M%C3%A4nnik.pdf
8. Rapoport, David C., "Attacking Terrorism: Elements of a Grand Strategy", accessed
December 09, 2018,
9. “What’s Behind the Terrorist Attacks in Sri Lanka?”, accessed March 19, 2019,
https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/04/21/whats-behind-the-terrorist-attacks-in-sri-lanka/
10. "al-Qaeda", accessed December 09, 2018, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/al-qaeda-aka-al-
qaida-al-qaida
11. "al-Qaeda", accessed December 09, 2018, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/al-qaeda-
aka-al-qaida-al-qaida
12. "An Overview of ISIS", accessed December 09, 2018, https://ing.org/an-overview-of-
isis/
14. "Nigeria’s battle with Boko Haram", accessed December 09, 2018,
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/nigerias-battle-boko-haram
15. "Background briefing: What is Boko Haram", accessed December 09, 2018,
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/boko-haram
16. "Boko Haram: History and Context", accessed December 09, 2018,
http://oxfordre.com/africanhistory/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.001.0001/a
crefore-9780190277734-e-119
17. “Jeddah Communique", accessed March 19, 2018, http://time.com/5505452/donald-
trump-syrian-war/

16 of 30
18. Trump’s Pledge to Pull U.S. Out of Syria Meets Reality", accessed February 2019,
http://time.com/5505452/donald-trump-syrian-war/
19. Charlie Hebdo attack: Three days of terror, accessed March 19, 2018,
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30708237
20. Musharraf admits Kashmir militants trained in Pakistan”, accessed May 05, 2019,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11474618
21. URL: https://cis.org/Report/Terrorist-Infiltration-Threat-Southwest-Border, Website
Title: CIS.org, Article Title:Terrorist Infiltration Threat at the Southwest Border, Date
Accessed: May 05, 2019
22. URL: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/lone-wolf-attacks-are-becoming-
more-common-and-more-deadly/, Website Title :PBS, Article Title: Lone Wolf
Attacks Are Becoming More Common And More Deadly, Date Accessed: May 05,
2019
23. Article Title: Figure 2f from: Irimia R, Gottschling M (2016) Taxonomic revision of
Rochefortia Sw. (Ehretiaceae, Boraginales). Biodiversity Data Journal 4: e7720.
https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.4.e7720

17 of 30
THE ISSUE OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS
INTRODUCTION
Chemical and Biological weapons are a subcategory of nuclear, radiological, biological and
chemical (CBRN) agents. These agents are hazardous materials, either naturally occurring or
artificially produced, which can have significant adverse effects on human health, including
severe illness and death, depending on the nature of the agent and the circumstances of
exposure.25
Even in today’s day and age, Biological and Chemical weapons pose a serious threat to all
countries. The issue with biological weapons in history was that it could never be controlled.
Therefore, it has been argued that no rational state actor would ever use biological weaponry
offensively. This is because the weapon could backfire and harm the army on the offensive,
perhaps having even worse effects than on the target. An agent like smallpox or other airborne
viruses would almost certainly spread worldwide and ultimately infect the user's home country.
However, this argument does not necessarily apply to bacteria. In recent times more emphasis
has been made on bacteria. For example, anthrax can easily be controlled and even created in
a garden shed; the FBI suspects it can be done for as little as $2,500 using readily available
laboratory equipment. Also, using microbial methods, bacteria can be suitably modified to be
effective in only a narrow environmental range, the range of the target that distinctly differs
from the army on the offensive. Thus, only the target might be affected adversely. The weapon
may be further used to bog down an advancing army making them more vulnerable to
counterattack by the defending force.
Biological weaponry includes such weapons as toxins and microorganisms. Microorganisms

refer to bacteria, viruses or fungi whereas toxins refer to poisonous substances produced by
microorganisms. Chemical Weapons are poisonous chemical substances which are either
organically produced or artificially produced. Many agents are synthesised and employed for
legitimate industrial, agricultural or pharmaceutical purposes. Examples include hydrogen
cyanide and chlorine for industrial use.
25 ArticleTitle: Figure 2f from: Irimia R, Gottschling M (2016) Taxonomic revision of Rochefortia Sw.
(Ehretiaceae, Boraginales). Biodiversity Data Journal 4: e7720. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.4.e7720
18 of 30
BACKGROUND & HISTORY
Biological warfare has been in use for the longest time. Records of biological warfare date back
to 400 BC when Scythian archers began contaminating their arrows by dipping them in
decomposing bodies or in manure mixed with blood. Persian, Greek, and Roman literary
composition from 300 BC has illustrations of dead animals used to contaminate wells and other
sources of water. During the Battle of Eurymedon which took place in 190 BC, Hannibal beat
King Eumenes II of Pergamon by firing barrels filled with venomous snakes into the enemy
ships.26
In modern history, biochemical weapons can be traced to the United States of America forming
the War Research Service in 1942. Both Anthrax27 and botulinum toxin28 were initially were
investigated for use as weapons. Adequate volumes of botulinum toxin and anthrax were
stockpiled by June 1944 to allow for unhindered retaliation if the German forces initiated with
an attack with either biological or chemical agents. The British were also involved in this
practice and were found to be testing Anthrax bombs on Gruinard Island which is situated off
the northwest coast of Scotland in 1942 and 1943.
Biological and Chemical Weapons are now more dangerous than they have ever been before,
especially due to the capacity of the use of microbes to attack target populations. This is not a
new idea, dating back to Europeans giving Native Americans blankets tainted with smallpox
during the early colonial period, knowing their lack of resistance to the disease would wipe out
whole tribes. What is new today is that virulent pathogens -- microorganisms that spread
disease -- can be readily spawned in laboratories.
26 URL:
https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Greek_Fire_Poison_Arrows_and_Scorpion_Bo.html?id=QysqAQAAIA
AJ&redir_esc=y, : Website TitleGoogle Books, Article Title: Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs,
Date Accessed: April 28, 2019
27 Anthrax is caused by exposure to the spores of the bacteria Bacillus anthracis that become entrenched in the
host body and produce lethal poisons. It is primarily a disease of grazing animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and
horses.
28 Botulinum toxin (BTX) is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and related
species. It prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from axon endings at the neuromuscular
junction and thus causes flaccid paralysis. Infection with the bacterium causes the disease botulism.

19 of 30
How readily? Using a gene editing process called CRISPR, a biologist in Pakistan or North
Korea can fashion a microbe that mimics the transmissibility and lethality of smallpox with
technology ordered online for less than $200. There is virtually no regulation of such
transactions. To quote a threat assessment provided to the United States Congress by the
Director of National Intelligence, “Biological and chemical materials and technologies --
almost always dual-use -- move easily in the globalized economy, as do personnel with the
scientific expertise to design and use them for legitimate and illegitimate purposes. Information
about the latest discoveries in the life sciences also diffuses rapidly around the globe, widening
the accessibility of knowledge and tools for beneficial purposes and for potentially nefarious
applications.”29
While the threat of nuclear weaponry increasing, the threat which biological weapons is often
overlooked, which only makes them deadlier. A single gallon of anthrax, if suitably distributed
could end human life on Earth. 30 Countries such as North Korea have highly developed, highly
lethal and dangerously underestimated Biological weapon programmes. North Korea may want
to threaten a devastating germ counterattack as a way of warding off aggressors. If so, its
bioweapons would act as a potent deterrent. Experts have also long suspected that the North
harbours agents of unusual lethality, especially the smallpox virus, which spreads person-to-
person and kills a third of its victims and in 1980 was declared eradicated from human
populations.31
Compared to traditional weapons, biological threats also have a host of unsettling distinctions:
Germ production is small-scale and far less expensive than creating nuclear arms. Deadly
microbes can look like harmless components of vaccine and agricultural work. In addition,
living weapons are hard to detect, trace and contain. This makes preparation for attacks by
biological weaponry even harder as the true threat they pose is extremely difficult to discern.
29 URL: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2018/04/09/biowar-a-guide-to-the-coming-plague-
years/#4f6206135fe5, Website Title: Forbes, Article Title: The Threat Of Biological Warfare Is Increasing, And
The U.S. Isn't Ready, Date Published: April 09, 2018, Date Accessed: May 05, 2019
30 Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus
anthracis. Anthrax can be found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the
world.
31 URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/15/science/north-korea-biological-weapons.html, Website Title: The
New York Times, Article Title: North Korea's Less-Known Military Threat: Biological Weapons, Date Published:
January 15, 2019, Date Accessed: May 05, 2019

20 of 30
TO combat the spread of these weapons, the UN has implemented 2 major regulations: the
Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The
BWC bans the development, production and stockpiling biological weapons of mass
destruction and the CWC does the same for chemical weaponry. However, not all countries
have ratified these treaties. Countries such as Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Israel, Kiribati,
Micronesia, Namibia, South Sudan, Tuvalu and North Korea have not ratified the BWC. Egypt,
North Korea and South Sudan have not ratified the CWC. 32
PAST ACTIONS BY THE UNITED NATIONS
Biological Weapons Convention

The Biological Weapons Convention, also known as the BWC, was the first multilateral
disarmament treaty which banned the development, production and storing of a complete
category of weapons which can cause mass destruction. It was first opened for ratification on
10 April 1972. and entered into force on 26 March 1975.
The Second Review Conference which conferred in 1986 came to the decision that countries
which ratified the BWC should put in place a considerable number of confidence-building
measures so as to prevent or reduce the occurrence of ambiguities, doubts and suspicions.
In the ratification of these agreements, all countries undertook the provision of providing yearly
reports, in means previously agreed upon, which would be focused on specific activities related
to the BWC which included data on laboratories; data on vaccine production facilities data on
national biological non-offensive research as well as development programmes; declaration of
previous activities in offensive and defensive biological research programmes; data on
outbreaks of infectious diseases and relatively similar occurrences caused by toxins.
The Fifth Review Conference adopted a Final Report which included a decision to hold yearly
meetings of countries and meetings of experts on the subject matter in the next three years
leading up to 2006.The Sixth Review Conference which was held in 2006 finally succeeded in
comprehensively reviewing the Convention and adopted a final document by consensus. All
32
URL: https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/cwcsig, Website Title: Chemical Weapons Convention
Signatories and States-Parties | Arms Control Association, Article Title: Fact Sheets & Briefs, Date Accessed:
May 05, 2019

21 of 30
the countries adopted a detailed plan for promoting universal adherence and came to the
decision to update and streamline the procedures for the submission and distribution of the
Confidence-Building Measures to be carried out on both an intra-country and inter country
level.33
Chemical Weaponry
The second Convention passed by the UN in relation to chemical weaponry was the Chemical
Weapons Convention (CWC) which was adopted by the DISEC in Geneva on 3 September
1992. The CWC allowed for the thorough verification of compliance by all countries. The
CWC is the first disarmament agreement that was discussed in an international framework
which allowed for the wiping out of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction under
universally applied multilateral control.34
MAJOR BLOC POSITIONS AND STAKEHOLDERS
Countries showing non-compliance with the BWC and CWC

Many countries are suspected to have violated the BWC. These countries include but are not
limited to Israel, Japan, Cuba, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Canada, China, Libya, North Korea,
Russia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Syria, and the United States. 35
USA
The United States voluntarily gave up its biological weapons program in 1969. The destruction
of all offensive Biological weapons it owned occurred between 1971 and 1973. The United
States continues to conduct research about Biological agents but only as a part of its biodefense
program. In addition to destructing its Chemical weaponry, the U.S. declared a sizable
chemical arsenal of 27,770 tons to the OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical
Weapons) when the CWC came into force in 1997. As with Russia, the United States received
an extension when it was unsuccessful in completing the destruction of its chemical stockpiles
33 URL:https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/bio/, Website Title: United Nations, Article Title: Biological

Weapons – UNODA, Date Accessed: April 28, 2019
34 URL: https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/chemical/, Website Title: United Nations, Article Title: Chemical
Weapons – UNODA, Date Accessed: April 28, 2019
35 URL: https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/bwc, Website Title: The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
At A Glance | Arms Control Association, Article Title: Fact Sheets & Briefs, Date Accessed: May 07, 2019

22 of 30
by 2012. A 2016 OPCW report proclaimed that the United States had destroyed close to 90%
of the chemical weapons stockpile it had first declared when the CWC entered into force; nearly
25,000 metric tons of the declared total of 27,770.36
In a 2017 report on the compliance with the BWC, the United States officially indicated that
Russia was the only country to have outstanding compliance issues with the BWC. However,
in other less-official settings, the United States has also accused other states publicly for
breaching the Convention. In 2001, a top U.S. diplomat accused five countries including Iraq
and North Korea of pursuing biological weapon programs, which was considered an unusually
pointed diplomatic charge designed to put pressure on nations suspected of flouting an
international ban on biological arms. However, what is exceedingly important to take note of
is the fact that the United States itself has not been excluded from accusations of running both
biological and nuclear weaponry programmes which are offensive in nature.
Iran
Iran is a major country which has been accused of being non-compliant with the BWC and
CWC. Although Iran has publicly denounced biological weaponry, there have been multiple
allegations against them for breaching the BWC. According to a 2010 report, there is evidence
showing Iran continues both offensive and defensive activities concerning biological weapons,
although there is no evidence which validated rumours of BWC violations. 37 Iran has also
denounced the possession and use of Chemical Weapons in international forums. The USA has
also claimed it was unable to make sure of if Iran is meeting its obligations under the CWC,
according to a State Department 2017 report on compliance with the CWC.38 It is worth noting
that Iran suffered casualties in the tens of thousands from the Iraqi use of chemical weapons
during the war between Iran and Iraq which was between 1980 and 1988 and that Iran’s
chemical weapons program is believed to have been started in retaliation to Iraqi CW use. 39
36 URL: https://fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/cbw/cw.htm, Website Title: Chemical Weapons United States, Article

Title: Chemical Weapons, Date Accessed: April 28, 2019
38 URL: https://www.armscontrol.org/blog/2018/covering-cwc, Website Title: Covering the CWC Conference of
States Parties and 4th Review Conference | Arms Control Association, Article Title: Arms Control NOW, Date
Accessed: May 07, 2019
39 URL: https://www.iranwatch.org/our-publications/weapon-program-background-report/history-irans-
chemical-weapon-related-efforts, Website Title: Iran Watch, Date Published: July 01, 2005, Date Accessed: April
28, 2019

23 of 30
Russia
Russia has also been accused of not being compliant with the BWC and CWC. The first
president of the Russian Federation, Boris Yeltsin, admitted that the Soviet Union had invested
in an extensively offensive biological weapons programme through the 1970s and 1980s, but
ever since Russia has joined the BWC which happened in 1992, Russia has expressed its
commitment to destructing its arsenal of nuclear weapons on multiple occasions. However, the
United States has always shown great concern on the strength and application of Russia’s
inherited Biological weaponry programme as well as how compliant it is with the BWC. This
concern is not entirely baseless as the Soviet Union’s biological weaponry programme was so
extensive that it included but was not limited to weaponised tularemia, typhus, Q fever,
smallpox, plague, anthrax, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, glanders, brucellosis, and Marburg.
The United States remains unconvinced that Russia has gotten rid of all of the biological
weapons it has in its possession. 40
The 2010 State Department report on compliance with the BWC, submitted by the United
States, elaborates on the idea that Russia continually engages in biological research activities
which are both offensive and defensive in nature; however, there is no evidence that any of this
work goes against its BWC obligations. The report assesses that as yet it remains of doubt
whether Russia has fulfilled its requirements under Article I of the convention.
Russia is also alleged to have shown non-compliance with the CWC. In the past, Russia has
amassed the world’s largest chemical weapons stockpile consisting of approximately 40,000
tons of chemical agents including agents such as but not limited to VX, sarin, soman, mustard-
lewisite mixtures, mustard, lewisite as well as phosgene. However, it must be noted that Russia
declared its entire chemical weapons arsenal to the OPCW and commenced the destruction of
it. Along with the USA, Russia received an extension when it was unable to destruction by the
2012 deadline previously set by the CWC. A 2016 OPCW report showed that as of the previous
year, Russia had destroyed about 92 per cent of its stockpile which was close to 36,7500 metric
40URL: https://www.nti.org/learn/countries/russia/chemical/, Website Title: Nuclear Threat Initiative - Ten Years

of Building a Safer World, Article Title: Russia, Date Accessed: April 28, 2019

24 of 30
tons. This destruction was finalised when on the 27th of September 2017, the OPCW
announced that Russia completed the destruction of its chemical weapons arsenal.41
However, despite this announcement, the U.S is not entirely convinced about Russian
compliance with the CWC. They expressed this in the 2017 State Department report on CWC
compliance in which it was clearly stated “The United States cannot certify that Russia has met
its obligations under the Convention,” and declared that Russia had not made an absolute
declaration of its stockpile. 42
Syria
Syria also officially possesses both Chemical and biological weapons, and in 2012, a
spokesman from the Syrian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the country owns biological
warfare materials43; however, there is minimal information about the extent of the arsenal. In
2014, Syria declared the existence of production facilities and stockpiles of purified ricin,
although little is known about the continued life of such facilities in 2019. In 2013, it also
declared that possesses chemical weapons in the form of the sulfur mustard agent. However,
the OPCW announced that all chemical weaponry in Syria was destroyed in 2016. 44
Allegations of continued use of biological and chemical weaponry in Syria continue. Syrian
opposition activists, rescue workers and medics say more than 40 people were killed on 7 April
in a suspected chemical attack on Douma, which was the last rebel-held town in the Eastern
Ghouta region.45
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) says initial tests on
samples from two sites detected "various chlorinated organic chemicals", along with explosive
41 Chemical and Biological Weapons Status at a Glance | Arms ....

https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/cbwprolif
43 URL:
https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/07/us-syria-crisis-experts-idUSBRE99508920131007Website Title:
Reuters, Article Title: Destruction of Syrian chemical weapons begins: mission, Date Published: October 07, 2013,
44 URL: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-usa-idUSKBN14W28W, Website Title: Reuters,
Article Title: U.S. sanctions Syrian officials for chemical weapons attacks, Date Published: January 12, 2017,
45 URL: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43697084 ,Website Title: BBC News, Article Title: Syria
war: What we know about Douma 'chemical attack', Date Published: July 10, 2018, Date Accessed: April 28,
2019
25 of 30
residues.46 However, no nerve agents were detected. The Syrian government denies ever using
chemical weapons, and its ally Russia says it has evidence that the incident was staged with
the help of the UK.
Countries with former Biological and/or Chemical weapon programmes

In the past, many countries have had biological and chemical weapons programmes, including
Japan, Germany and the UK. Their abandonment of these programmes brings to light the shift
in views surrounding owning biological and chemical weapons.
One example of this shift in mindset can be by the change in the stance of Iraq. Iraq has
admitted to testing and amassing Biological weaponry in the mid-1990s. These stockpiles have
appeared to have been destroyed prior to the 2003 invasion. There have been no further
declarations about biological weapons after 2003. Iraq is known to have had a substantial
chemical weapons program before the Persian Gulf War during which it produced and
stockpiled chemical weaponry in the form of mustard, tabun, sarin, and VX. Iraq used chemical
agents against Iranian forces during the Iran-Iraq War using aerial bombs, artillery and rocket
launchers, it also used chemical weapons against its Kurdish population in 1988. However, its
program was largely taken apart by United Nations weapons inspectors in the 1990s. In August
1998, Iraq declared that it had dismantled the entirety of its chemical weapons in partnership
with the UN Special Commission which was established specifically for the same reason. Iraq
subsequently submitted an added declaration to the OPCW of an unidentified quantity of
chemical weapons remnants contained in two storage bunkers, found in March 2009. Due to
an unstable security situation, destruction activities were delayed but ultimately began in 2017.
On March 13, 2018, the OPCW announced that all of Iraq's chemical weapons had been
destroyed.47
46 URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/15/world/middleeast/syria-talks.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0,
Website Title: The New York Times, Article Title: U.S. and Russia Reach Deal to Destroy Syria's Chemical Arms,
Date Published: September 14, 2013, Date Accessed: May 07, 2019
47 Chemical and Biological Weapons Status at a Glance | Arms ....

26 of 30
SCOPE OF DEBATE
How to prevent further development

The main focus of this council is to avoid war and ease tensions among countries. It is important
that delegates discuss the prevention of further development of Biological and Chemical
weaponry and possible ways to incentivize countries to stop developing biological and
chemical weaponry. Delegates may also want to consider the possibility of creating a board to
investigate different countries to see if there is development of biological and chemical
weaponry in these countries and how feasible this is. While some countries may see this as a
necessity of current times, others might see it as a breach of sovereignty.
Implementation of Current Resolutions

There is currently no dearth of resolutions in place to combat biological and chemical weaponry.
The issue comes in the ratification and subsequent implementation of these resolutions. Both
the Chemical Weapons Convention and Biological Weapons Convention have undergone
significant review to reach the stage they are currently at. Rather than focusing on completely
new resolutions, delegates should look into the possibility of amending clauses in the current
resolutions to make them more effective. Delegates should also look into why the current
resolutions have not been as effective as they should have and how improvements they make
will be implemented as an unimplementable resolution has no purpose. Editing and improving
the Resolutions so that more countries are agreeable to the resolution, more countries will be
able to ratify it and as an effective implementation of these resolutions will not only be
strengthened but will also be more widespread.
SOLUTIONS
The UN has implemented numerous actions to solve this issue. The most prominent are
undeniably the Biological Weapons and Toxin Convention (BWC) and the Chemical Weapons
Convention (CWC). Ever since the conventions have come into effect, they have formed the
very basis of all the international efforts at controlling and regulating the use of biological and
chemical weapons. However, delegates should recognise that both the BWC and the CWC
come with their fair shares of inadequacies. One of the most prominent flaws undermining the
effectiveness of the BWC is that it lacks the ability to ensure its effective and complete
implementation. As such, delegates could consider the creation of an enforcement mechanism
27 of 30
to better ensure compliance with respect to the BWC and CWC in order to fill these gaps.
Delegates should consider also how international charters like the Geneva Protocol need to be
updated so that they can keep up with the rapid advancements in science and as a result in
biological and chemical weaponry that we see today.
In addition, increasing information sharing and transparency among all countries is another
possible solution. Not only is it necessary for countries to share information with international
organisations on the sizes of their biological and chemical weaponry, but also their intentions
with their stockpiles. Delegates may discuss the incentivisation of countries to destroy or
reduce the size of their stockpiles, through perhaps trade deals or aid linked to biological and
chemical warfare.
QARMA
1. How can the stockpiling of biological and chemical weapons be made illegal?
2. How will the enforcement of previous resolutions be balanced with respect for
sovereignty?
3. How will countries be encouraged to share information about the size of their biological
and chemical stockpiles?
4. What measures can be put in place to ensure honesty in the sharing of information?
5. How can it be ensured that newer resolutions will prove to be more effective than earlier
conventions such as the CWC and BWC?
6. How can compliance be improved and how can compliance with future resolutions be
ensured?
FURTHER READING
1. https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/bio/ - An introduction to the Biological

Weapons Convention
2. https://undocs.org/BWC/CONF.VIII/4 - Eighth and Final Draft of Biological Weapons
Convention
3. https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/cwcglance - An introduction to the Chemical
Weapons Convention

28 of 30
4. https://www.opcw.org/chemical-weapons-convention - The Chemical Weapons
Convention
5. https://hcss.nl/sites/default/files/files/reports/Threat%20and%20Care%20of%20BWd
ef4eversie_0.pdf - Article on the increasing threat of biological conventions
6. https://www.clingendael.org/sites/default/files/2017-
10/Clingendael_Report_Chemical_Weapons_Challenges_Ahead_2017.pdf - Article
on dealing with the challeneges posed by chemical weapons in the future
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Greek_Fire_Poison_Arrows_and_Scorpion_Bo.html?i
d=QysqAQAAIAAJ&redir_esc=y,
2. Website TitleGoogle Books, Article Title: Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion
Bombs, Date Accessed: April 28, 2019
3. URL: https://www.emedicinehealth.com/biological_warfare/article_em.htm, Website
Title: Medicine Health, Article Title: Biological Warfare Facts & History of Biological
Agents, Date Accessed: April 28, 2019
4. URL: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2018/04/09/biowar-a-guide-to-
the-coming-plague-years/#4f6206135fe5, Website Title: Forbes, Article Title: The
Threat Of Biological Warfare Is Increasing, And The U.S. Isn't Ready, Date Published:
April 09, 2018, Date Accessed: May 05, 2019
5. URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/15/science/north-korea-biological-
weapons.html, Website Title: The New York Times, Article Title: North Korea's Less-
Known Military Threat: Biological Weapons, Date Published: January 15, 2019, Date
Accessed:May 05, 2019
6. URL: https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/cwcsig, Website Title: Chemical
Weapons Convention Signatories and States-Parties | Arms Control Association,
Article Title: Fact Sheets & Briefs, Date Accessed: May 05, 2019
7. URL: https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/bio/, Website Title: United Nations,
Article Title: Biological Weapons – UNODA, Date Accessed: April 28, 2019
8. URL: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/15/science/north-korea-biological-
weapons.html, Website Title: The New York Times, Article Title: North Korea's Less-
Known, Military Threat: Biological Weapons, Date Published: January 15, 2019, Date
Accessed:May 05, 2019
29 of 30
9. URL: https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/cwcsig, Website Title: Chemical
Weapons Convention Signatories and States-Parties | Arms Control Association,
Article Title: Fact Sheets & Briefs, Date Accessed: May 05, 2019, URL:
https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/bio/,
10. Website Title: United Nations, Article Title: Biological Weapons – UNODA, Date
Accessed: April 28, 2019, URL: https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/chemical/,
11. Website Title: United Nations, Article Title: Chemical Weapons – UNODA, Date
Accessed: April 28, 2019
12. URL: https://fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/cbw/cw.htm, Website Title: Chemical Weapons
United States, Article Title: Chemical Weapons, Date Accessed: April 28, 2019
13. URL: https://www.iranwatch.org/our-publications/weapon-program-background-
report/history-irans-chemical-weapon-related-efforts, Website Title: Iran Watch, Date
Published: July 01, 2005, Date Accessed: April 28, 2019, URL:
https://www.nti.org/learn/countries/russia/chemical/,
14. Website Title: Nuclear Threat Initiative - Ten Years of Building a Safer World, Article
Title: Russia, Date Accessed: April 28, 2019
15. Chemical and Biological Weapons Status at a Glance | Arms ....
16. URL: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43697084,Website Title: BBC

News, Article Title: Syria war: What we know about Douma 'chemical attack', Date
Published: July 10, 2018, Date Accessed: April 28, 2019

30 of 30

Disarmament AND International Security Committee

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Disarmament AND International Security Committee

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Disarmament AND International Security Committee

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DISAR MAMENT

Swords Into Ploughshares

Aaditya Tibarewala, Head Chair

Swords Into Ploughshares

1 "Terrorism", accessed December 08, 2018, https://ourworldindata.org/terrorism

Swords Into Ploughshares

BACKGROUND & HISTORY

Swords Into Ploughshares

Swords Into Ploughshares

10 "al-Qaeda”, accessed December 09, 2018, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/al-qaeda-aka-al-qaida-al-qaida

Swords Into Ploughshares

12 "An Overview of ISIS”, accessed December 09, 2018, https://ing.org/an-overview-of-isis/

Swords Into Ploughshares

Swords Into Ploughshares

United States of America

17“Jeddah Communique”, accessed March 19, 2018, http://time.com/5505452/donald-trump-syrian-war/

Swords Into Ploughshares

The Russian Federation

Syrian Arab Republic

Swords Into Ploughshares

08, 2019. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/pakistan-supported-trained-terror-groups-

Swords Into Ploughshares

Policing Terrorist Influence online Internet

Intelligence and surveillance

Swords Into Ploughshares

Strengthening border security is another important consideration in combating terrorism.

Swords Into Ploughshares

Swords Into Ploughshares

1. "Terrorism", accessed December 08, 2018, https://ourworldindata.org/terrorism

Swords Into Ploughshares

Swords Into Ploughshares

Biological weaponry includes such weapons as toxins and microorganisms. Microorganisms

BACKGROUND & HISTORY

Swords Into Ploughshares

Swords Into Ploughshares

PAST ACTIONS BY THE UNITED NATIONS

Biological Weapons Convention

Swords Into Ploughshares

MAJOR BLOC POSITIONS AND STAKEHOLDERS

Countries showing non-compliance with the BWC and CWC

33 URL:https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/bio/, Website Title: United Nations, Article Title: Biological

Swords Into Ploughshares

36 URL: https://fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/cbw/cw.htm, Website Title: Chemical Weapons United States, Article

Swords Into Ploughshares

40URL: https://www.nti.org/learn/countries/russia/chemical/, Website Title: Nuclear Threat Initiative - Ten Years

Swords Into Ploughshares

41 Chemical and Biological Weapons Status at a Glance | Arms ....

Countries with former Biological and/or Chemical weapon programmes

Swords Into Ploughshares

How to prevent further development

Implementation of Current Resolutions

1. https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/bio/ - An introduction to the Biological

Swords Into Ploughshares

16. URL: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43697084,Website Title: BBC

Swords Into Ploughshares

You might also like