Geneva Protocol of 1925 "Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use
in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Similar Gases and Bacteriological
Means" forbids the use of bacteriological means for waging
war.
"Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and
Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and
on Their Destruction" (1972) determines the following commitments
of States Parties:
- never to develop, produce, stockpile or otherwise acquire or retain:
microbial or other biological agents, or toxins whatever their origin
or method of production, of types and in quantities that have no justification
for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes; weapons,
equipment or means of delivery designed to use such agents or toxins
for hostile purposes or in armed conflict (art I);
- to destroy, or to divert to peaceful purposes all agents, toxins,
weapons, equipment and means of delivery specified in article I of
the Convention, which are in its possession or under its jurisdiction
or control (art. II);
- not to transfer to any recipient whatsoever, directly or indirectly,
and not in any way to assist, encourage, or induce any State, group
of States or international organizations to manufacture or otherwise
acquire any of the agents, toxins, weapons, equipment or means of
delivery specified in article I of this Convention (art. III);
- in accordance with its constitutional processes, take any necessary measures to prohibit and prevent the actions specified in article I of the Convention, within the territory of such State, under its jurisdiction or under its control anywhere (art. IV);
- to consult one another and to cooperate in solving any problems
which may arise in relation to the objective of, or in the application
of the provisions of, the Convention (art. V);
- to lodge a complaint with the Security Council of the United Nations in the case if the State Party to this Convention finds that any other State Party is acting in breach of obligations deriving from the provisions of the Convention; such a complaint should include all possible evidence confirming its validity (art. VI);
- to provide or support assistance, in accordance with the United
Nations Charter, to any Party to the Convention which so requests
(art. VII);
to facilitate the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials
and scientific and technological information for the use of bacteriological
(biological) agents and toxins for peaceful purposes (art. X).
Decisions of the Second (1986) and Third (1991) Conferences on Review
of the Convention actions aimed at increase of openess of
works provide for confidence building measures. According to them all
States Parties annually submit information on biological and biotechnological
works, programmes and facilities, publications, conferences and national
legislation to the United Nations Organization in corresponding formes.
These measures are voluntary. Conferences on Review of the Convention
actions (each five years) consider information on mentioned measures.
Russia annually submits the information on confidence building measures
to the United Nations Organization.
Decisions of the Third Conference (1991) determine the duty
commitments of States Depositaries of the Convention (Russia, USA
and the UK) on strengthening implementation of provisions of articles
of the Convention in regard to agreed procedures of calling and holding
of informal and official consultative meetings of States Parties to
consider their questions concerning the implementation of the Convention.
Technical guidelines and procedures on opportune and efficient
investigation of reports on possible use of chemical and bacteriological
(biological) or toxin weapons (1989) envisages cooperation of
State Parties with Secretary-General of the UNO in the investigations
of possible use of biological weapon, including: to send experts for
rendering of advisory assistance and performing of investigations,
to give analytical laboratories for identification of agents, munitions,
to train experts, to allot equipment for investigations.
Resolutions of the UN Security Counsil (1991-2000) on Control over
Iraq disarmament (inspections, monitoring, embargo, export and other
international tasks) oblige the States Parties to render cooperation
and assistance in investigation of Iraq military activities on biological,
chemical, rocket and nuclear weapons.