“Aqil”: We demand the unification of the efforts of civil society organizations around the world to stop the spread of biological weapons

Paskel: We demand the establishment of an emergency support fund in case of exposure to biological weapons

Nourhan Mustafa: We stress the need to make efforts to implement the terms of that agreement because the world desperately needs it

 

Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights held a side event under the title “Biological Weapons Convention: Towards Full Immediate Activation”, in cooperation with the Global Coalition to Control the Spread of Arms, on the sidelines of the Ninth Preparatory Committee for the Biological Weapons Convention Conference. With the participation of a number of international organizations and diplomatic missions in Geneva.

The event discussed the role of civil society and its importance in activating the articles and provisions of the treaty and protecting civilians in conflict areas. It also addressed the effects of biological weapons on international peace and security, and the efforts made within the framework of the Convention to address the proliferation of biological weapons and limit their effects.

In this context, the international human rights expert, Ayman Aqeel, pointed out; On the need to cooperate and unify efforts between civil society organizations around the world to stop the spread of biological weapons and protect civilians from their dangers, which is what we seek through the Global Alliance to Control the Spread of Weapons.

Akil emphasized; On the positive contribution that young people can make to maintaining international peace and security, and that the activation of the Biological Weapons Convention must depend on the continued active participation of the younger generations through open discussions. He pointed to the need to raise awareness and build the capacities of young people, and to include them in organizing such meetings.

For his part, the expert in armaments and disarmament issues, Jean Pascal, explained the extent of the impact of biological weapons and deadly epidemics on the environment and biodiversity, pointing to Covid-19 and its negative consequences over the past years. Pascal added that during the Ninth Preparatory Committee for the Biological Weapons Convention, a number of proposals were made, the most important of which were securing research laboratories, establishing an emergency support fund in case of exposure to biological weapons and addressing their effects.

Paskel also called for the establishment of an effective committee to assist countries in the exploration and early research of diseases and epidemics. Establishing a body to review meetings and developments and draw conclusions about the danger these scientific developments pose to the world.

Nourhan Mustafa, director of the International Human Law Unit at Maat Foundation, pointed out the importance of the Biological Weapons Convention, as it is considered a mainstay in the disarmament process, and “Mustafa” stressed the need to make more efforts to implement the terms of that agreement because the world desperately needs it, especially with the escalating risks. and threats posed by terrorist groups and political conflicts between states.

It is worth noting that this event was implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Biological Weapons Convention Support and Implementation Office and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs.