| Generally Amnesty
International is basically focused on the subject
of human rights including issues such as prisoner
of conscience, torture, death penalty, disappearance
and political killings, refugee matters etc. (Annual
Reports – Amnesty International 2004)
However our topic is different and we will delve
into issues mentioned under ‘Thesis Statement’.
1.0 Bioterrorism
Let us take the Bioterrorim first. Historically
the threat of biological warfare has been present
since the middle ages. There were reports of tests
carried out by the Japanese on Chinese nationals
and of Soviet Union stockpiling biological weapons.
The current surge in concern began when anthrax
contaminated mail was received at several government
offices. This has come to be known as the ‘October
Postal Crisis’. The media went to town with
their non-top reporting of each such incident.
Fortunately the fears turned out to be largely
unfounded; nevertheless the possibilities were
real and needed a crisis management mode. This
is the very reason why emphasis is being laid
on ‘proactive’ rather than ‘after
the event’ measures.
The biological and Toxins Weapons Convention (BTWC),
which banned research in biological weapons, was
ratified in 1972. However enforcement was lacking
as evidenced by the outbreak of anthrax in the
Soviet city of Sverdlovsk. BWC formed an experts
committee to monitor activities and report to
United Nations. The United Nations also formed
the Terrorism advisory panel. This panel framed
recommendations that call for:
• Definition of bioterrorism
• Publication of biannual report that highlight
threat areas
• Development of emergency Assistance treaties
and Emergency Action Plans for situations which
may require these measures
• Development of code of conduct between
scientific communities
• Creation of a specific United Nations
organization for detection and monitoring of banned
activities
These recommendations were put forward because
the BWC is seen to be losing its effectiveness.
The UN Committee on Disarmament and International
Security has the responsibility to check the research,
stockpiling and expected/threatened use of biological
weapons. It has to focus its work in the following
three areas:
- Review the performance of the BWC and determine
the areas and reasons for lack of success, if
any
- Can a new organization be created as recommended
by the advisory panel. What safeguards can be
introduced to prevent the weapons from falling
into wrong hands.
- What will be the formula ( developed nations
to contribute more/solely?) for getting the
necessary funds to launch and support such an
organization.
The foregoing brief discussion does reflect the
anxiety and concern for containing development
and accumulation of biological weapons. What is
required now is to convert this concern into a
practical action plan and to implement the same
before time runs out and an immense catastrophe
occurs.
2.0 Nuclear proliferation
The issue here is the acquisition of weapons-
grade (enriched uranium) material by terrorist
groups. It is common knowledge that after the
breakup of the former Soviet Union the various
states that gained independence had unguarded
nuclear material, a part of which is unaccounted
for. It is believed to have been smuggled and
sold to interested buyers. Such leakages have
been reported also from areas outside of the former
Soviet territories. The term ‘lose nukes’
also includes radioactive substance, which is
equally dangerous. Several international seizures
of such stolen materials have been confirmed.
The problem therefore is to develop immediate
technology and trained manpower plus facilities
to locate such material, dismantle such facilities
and arrange safe deposit and custody of the same.
Amnesty International , within the United Nations,
has its work cut out. Member nations have to develop
their own internal monitoring mechanisms to augment
and supplement the work by the U.N. in terms of
limiting the growth and safe custody of nuclear
material and arms.
3.0 Outer Space Affairs
Space based weapons programs poses a new threat
and challenge to international peace. There is
a race on for miltarization of space through satellites.
And the protection of these satellites is prompting
development of systems to counter any attacks.
The concept of star wars is what it is all about.
As if there were not enough conflicts on the planet
earth now the battleground is being prepared in
space. This is yet another challenge for the Amnesty
International and it has to rise to the occasion.
The satellites in the space are a source for
monitoring disarmament, arms limitation, weather,
communication, navigation etc. and for providing
invaluable information about these matters. The
military objectives and ambitions include early
warning systems, command and control, surveillance
etc. Any change in this balance can be misinterpreted
or perceived as a threat. Control of space for
military purposes, whether for offence or for
defense, is another problem calling for urgent
consideration and reconciliation even though such
reconciliation is extremely difficult to achieve
given conflicting interests involved. Missile
Defense Treaty is an attempt to come together
toward some consensus. The Outer Space Treaty
of 1967 is the main agreement reached for peaceful
management of space. |