COVID-19 pandemic and Biological Weapons Convention
Authored by Ufuk Güneş
As it will be remembered, since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic, some conspiracy theories and even accusations have taken place, claiming that this pandemic might be intentional, which signals to possible “biological warfare”. If one searches web, it is possible to find a number of articles or comments in this direction.
Be it biological warfare or not, it is obvious that this pandemic has resulted with many deaths which equals to a mass destruction in meaning and effected the whole world including mankind and even animals.
During my searches, I haven’t come across with strong theories that this virus is laboratory made and its genes have been artificially changed by man. So, there are no clues yet- at least according to my knowledge- that this virus was intentionally released by man.
Nevertheless, we are faced with an unprecedented and huge biological risk which has already caused unforeseen number of deaths and seems as if, it still leaves some permanent or temporary side effects on people who recover from this virus.
From my tenure in Geneva, I remember the interventions at the Meetings of Participating States (MSP) or at the 8th Review Conference of the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention (BTWC) concerning the Ebola disease which mostly effected the African Continent. I believe that to take up this matter in the course of this Convention was well relevant and useful.
On the other hand, although we do not know yet if the break-out of this disease was due to somewhat violation of the provisions of the Convention or not, it is obvious that whole world has been exposed to a very serious danger. Therefore, I think it is possible to discuss need for and applicability of running the investigation mechanism mentioned in Article 6 of the Convention. At this point, we must also be cognizant of the investigation which has been convened by the Team of the World Health Organization (WHO). This action brings another question to my mind concerning the possible corelation and coordination between the activities of the BTWC and the WHO and possible other organizations and institutions.
This unfortunate development to which I believe the “Influenza pandemic of 1918–19” seems to be the most similar example, also sheds light over the urgent need of a “verification mechanism” for the Convention.
All in all, the pandemic is of relevance to the works of the BTWC. Therefore, I strongly believe that this issue needs to be given due attention within the BTWC format as well and what should/can be done or not done from the perspective of this Convention should be carefully analysed and decided upon.