Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare

Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare

The United Nations established the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare to honour and memorialise those who have suffered as a result of chemical weapons. This day is devoted to remembering the victims, reaffirming commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and ultimately strengthening global efforts to prevent the proliferation and use of these devastating weapons. By acknowledging the past, the Observance aims to encourage discussion and promote education surrounding the humanitarian consequences of chemical warfare, ultimately fostering a more peaceful future.

The Day of Remembrance has its roots in the 1997 establishment of the United Nations Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Australia has been a proactive member of the OPCW and has demonstrated dedication to the cause and to uphold the CWC at a national and international level. Given Australia's own experiences with chemical weapon usage during World War II and efforts supporting OPCW-led missions to remove and destroy Syrian chemical stockpiles in 2014, this day is significant.

Australia recognises the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare primarily through events and programs aiming to raise awareness, foster discussion, and educate the public on the dangers of chemical weaponry. This is often achieved in partnership with local non-government organisations, educational institutions, and government agencies. Australians can also engage in global efforts to prevent chemical warfare through participation in conferences and advocacy initiatives involving the United Nations and the OPCW. In Australia, as in the rest of the world, this Observance takes place on April 29th, marking the anniversary of the CWC's entry into force in 1997.

Facts about victims of chemical warfare

• Chemical weapons were used for the first time on a large scale in battle during World War I at the battle of Ypres in 1915. The chemical that was used as a weapon was chlorine gas.
• According to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, as of 2023, 100% of the world's chemical weapons stockpile has been destroyed.
• There are three different schedules of chemicals:
  1) Schedule One: these are typically used in weapons such as sarin and mustard gas
  2) Schedule Two: these are used in weapons such as amiton and BZ
  3) Schedule Three: these are typically the least toxic chemicals and are used for research and the production of medicines.
• During World War II, the Australian military conducted a series of secret experiments using mustard gas. This involved releasing the gas in Queensland's rainforests and exposing unwitting military personnel to the gas to study its effects. Many of the personnel exposed to the gas suffered long-term health effects.
• Australia has played an instrumental role in the process of verifying the destruction of declared chemical weapons stockpiles in countries like the United States, Russia, and Libya as part of OPCW's mission to prevent chemical warfare.

In the News and Trending in Australia for Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare

Top things to do in Australia for this observance

• Spread awareness on social media by using the hashtags #peacenotwar and #remembranceforallchemicalwarfarevictims
• Visit the site of some of the chemical weapon use. Some ideas, the Battlefields of Ypres, the Battlefields of Passchendaele and the Tokyo Subway.
• Identify organizations or charities working towards supporting those affected by chemical warfare and make a donation in honor of the victims. This could be financial support or volunteering your time.
• If you or someone you know has a personal connection to a victim of chemical warfare, sharing their story can help raise awareness and ensure their memory lives on. Use social media, blogs, or local publications to share these stories to inspire empathy and action.