17 Jun 2018

The adoption of a Chemical Weapons Prohibition amendment bill would ensure compliance by Botswana to her international obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons that was signed in 1993.

When the presenting the bill on June 14, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Mr Shaw Kgathi said the bill, which provided for the domestication of the convention, was intended to also ensure that Botswana conformed to the implementation of her obligations under the UN Convention against Chemical Weapons.

He said the bill would re-enact the Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act of 2014 by making provision for among others, outlining a legislative framework for the control and prevention of the use of chemical weapons in Botswana; and would also prohibit the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer and use of chemical weapons.

Minister Kgathi said it also provided for a safe mechanism for the safe destruction of such weapons to achieve total elimination of all types of weapons of mass destruction.

Furthermore, he said the bill provided for the regulating of the use of chemicals in chemical manufacturing plants and prohibiting the use of riot control agents as a method of warfare.

On toxic chemicals, the minister noted that while they were being used globally for peaceful purposes such as for commercial or industrial benefit, they had a dual purpose as they could also be used for harmful and destructive purposes.

It was for this reason that there was need to monitor their acquisition, use, stockpiling, import, export and disposal.

“Therefore, owing to the inherent dangers associated with toxic chemicals, their acquisition, development, stockpiling, or use is prohibited under both national and international law,” he stated.

Debating the bill, Major General Pius Mokgware observed that bills dealing with security issues were of great importance.

The Gabane-Mmankgodi MP further indicated how necessary it was for all persons and goods entering the country at all entry points to be examined to certify that they did not bring undesirable things into the country.

MP for Nata-Gweta Mr Polson Majaga also supported the bill, agreeing that chemical weapons were indeed dangerous as they could wipe out the entire nation in a short space of time.

Mr Majaga said however urged government to look into the issue of refugees, saying they being a vulnerable group, could be used as agents of chemical warfare.

He thus implored government to consider sending back refugees to their native countries as they had the potential to turn into terrorist groups. ENDS