Alleged Use of Biological and Toxin Weapons Dr B.P. Steyn South Africa 1
Scope � Introduction � Alleged use of BTW by States � Alleged use of BTW by non-state actors � South African approach to management and investigation 2
Introduction � Alleged use of BTW can be committed by one or more states against another state or by non-state actors � Procedures for obtaining assistance, investigations and involvement of International organisations differ � Use may result in: � Disease outbreak with no knowledge of a specific incident � Overt use resulting in an incident (anthrax letters) � Disease outbreak management based on patient care, laboratory support, epidemiology � Disease outbreaks due to BTW use are managed in the same manner as naturally occurring outbreaks by public health or veterinary systems, while investigation and epidemiological processes will differ 3
Introduction � Investigation is aimed at determining the cause, source of infection and collecting evidence – Epidemiology and laboratory support play a major role � Overt use resulting in an incident is managed according to standard Hazmat incident management principles 4
Alleged Use by States � International community, particularly States Parties are involved � Convention spells out processes to obtain assistance from other States Parties, but the affected state may also obtain assistance via coordination by International Organisations (WHO, OIE) � Convention provides for investigation sanctioned by UNSC � Only existing mechanism to conduct investigations is UNSG investigation mechanism that insufficient, was recently updated, but status is unclear � Disease management same as for naturally occurring outbreaks � Investigative epidemiology will play a major role � Lab support will be directed toward diagnostic work as well as forensic work � Difficulty is laboratories that may be used for forensic work that will satisfy all parties 5
Alleged Use by Non-State Actors � Primarily a domestic issue that is managed according to domestic procedures � States may seek assistance from other states directly and/ or through international organisations (WHO,OIE) � Investigation similar as for use by states – aim is domestic according to own legal requirements � Most developing states the forensic capabilities for this type of investigation are lacking 6
South African Approach � State Use: SA will support international actions, including UNSG mechanism when it is updated. � Disease outbreaks: � Primary response and lead department health/ agriculture for outbreak management with other departments such as Defence in support � These departments will lead investigation until clear there is criminal involvement – Police will conduct investigations in parallel with mutual support and cooperation. � Coordination is through Disaster Management system and Joint Operation Centres. 7
South African Approach � Incident (white powders): � Managed according to incident management prescripts (Government Gazette) as joint effort � Police bomb squad responsible with lab support � CBR/ Hazmat Teams for major incidents � Health consequences remain responsibility of health/ veterinary services � Police in command of investigation with others in support in terms of expert fields – epidemiology laboratory service � SA is in process of establishing a forensic molecular biological capability 8
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