University highlights spray fears (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

University highlights spray fears

4:10am Monday 26th October 2009 in

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Research by Bradford University has highlighted the dangers of incapacitating chemical weapons and the widespread misuse of riot control agents.

A report by the Bradford Non-Lethal Weapons Research Project (BNLWRP), based at the university, has highlighted the inability of the international control regime, established under the Chemical Weapons Convention, to regulate incapacitants effectively.

The report, Dangerous Ambiguities, warns of the devastating consequences for human rights, peace and security if it is not addressed.

It identifies an incident seven years ago today when Russian security forces employed a secret incapacitating chemical weapon in their attempt to free 800 hostages in a Moscow theatre taken by armed Chechen fighters.

More than 120 hostages were killed by the incapacitant and many more continue to suffer long-term health problems.

The university has said despite reports of further Russian research and use of incapacitants, the international community has refused to address the dangers of the development and proliferation of such weapons.

The BNLWRP report identifies incapacitant research of concern in China, the Czech Republic and the United States, as well as interest shown in such agents by France, the UK, NATO and the European Defence Agency.

Michael Crowley, author of the report and BNLWRP project co-ordinator, said: “Governments have previously considered the regulation of incapacitants a problem too difficult to deal with, but it is one they must now face.

“As more and more countries become intrigued by incapacitants so the dangers of their use by law enforcement officials for repression or by military personnel in armed conflict will grow. So too will the risks of their acquisition by terrorists and criminal gangs.”

The report documents cases of law enforcement officials from 35 countries misusing RCAs between 2004 and 2008.