Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare

Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare

The Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare aims to honour and remember those who have suffered or lost their lives due to the use of chemical weapons. It is an opportunity to promote awareness and reinforce the commitment to prohibiting these deadly substances. The observance also serves as a reminder of the global responsibility to eliminate chemical weapons entirely and ensure measures are in place to prevent their re-emergence.

While New Zealand has been fortunate not to have experienced direct impacts from chemical warfare, the country actively contributes to global efforts to destroy chemical weapons and prevent their proliferation. As a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), New Zealand co-operates closely with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in promoting full implementation of the Convention, providing legal and technical assistance, and participating in multilateral exercises to enhance preparedness for chemical incidents. New Zealand's support for the Day of Remembrance is thus a reflection of its commitment to a world free of chemical weapons and solidarity with victims of chemical warfare worldwide.

In New Zealand, the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare may be marked by government statements, educational events, and other activities that engage the public in understanding the effects of chemical weapons and the importance of the CWC. Such events also raise awareness of New Zealand's responsibilities to ensure a safer, more secure international community. The Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare is observed annually on April 29th, which coincides with the date on which the Chemical Weapons Convention entered 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.
• New Zealand is a member of the Australia Group, an informal arrangement of countries that, by controlling exports, aims to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons. New Zealand has implemented national export controls in line with Australia Group guidelines.
• During World War I, many New Zealand soldiers were exposed to chemical warfare while serving on European battlefields, particularly in France and Belgium. Although they were not involved directly as users or developers of chemical weapons, these experiences impacted the lives of NZ soldiers and their families.

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

Top things to do in NZ 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.
• In New Zealand, visit relevant memorial sites or monuments dedicated to victims of chemical warfare. Pay your respects, lay wreaths, and observe a moment of silence as a mark of remembrance.
• Reach out to local organizations supporting survivors of chemical warfare and inquire about their needs. Offer assistance such as fundraising, volunteering, or promoting their cause on this day.