Norma relacionada
Spain
Practice Relating to Rule 74. Chemical Weapons
Spain’s LOAC Manual (1996) prohibits the use of asphyxiating or poisonous gases. It reproduces the content of Articles I and IV of the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention.
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Publicación OR7-004, 2 Tomos, aprobado por el Estado Mayor del Ejército, Division de Operaciones, 18 March 1996, § 3.2.c.(1) and (2).
Spain’s LOAC Manual (2007) states that there is an absolute prohibition on the use of certain weapons, including “[c]hemical weapons” and “[a]sphyxiating, poisonous or other gases”.
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Tomo 1, Publicación OR7–004, (Edición Segunda), Mando de Adiestramiento y Doctrina, Dirección de Doctrina, Orgánica y Materiales, 2 November 2007, § 3.2.b.
The manual repeats extracts from Articles I and II of the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention.
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Tomo 1, Publicación OR7–004, (Edición Segunda), Mando de Adiestramiento y Doctrina, Dirección de Doctrina, Orgánica y Materiales, 2 November 2007, § 3.2.b.(2).
Spain’s Penal Code (1995), as amended in 2003, states:
1. Any person who manufactures, commercializes or stockpiles weapons or munitions without authorization by law or competent authority shall be punished:
1.° In the case of … chemical weapons … , with five to ten years’ imprisonment for promoters and organizers, and three to five years’ imprisonment in the case of accessories.
…
3.° The same penalties shall apply, considering the perpetrators’ degree of participation, to the trafficking of … chemical … weapons.
2. The same penalties established for point 1.° in sub-section 1 shall apply to whoever develops or uses chemical … weapons or makes preparations for their use.
Spain, Penal Code, 1995, as amended on 25 November 2003, Article 566(1)–(2).
The Penal Code also states:
1. … Stockpiling of chemical …weapons is understood as the manufacture, commercialization or possession of these weapons.
2. … Chemical … weapons are understood as defined by the international treaties and covenants to which Spain is a party.
The development of chemical … weapons is understood as any activity comprising scientific or technical research or examination leading to the creation of a new chemical … weapon or the modification of an existing chemical … weapon.
Spain, Penal Code, 1995, as amended on 25 November 2003, Article 567(1)–(2).
In 1995, during a debate in the First Committee of the UN General Assembly, Spain expressed support on behalf of the European Union, for the strengthening of the prohibition against chemical weapons.
European Union, Statement by Spain on behalf of the European Union before the First Committee of the UN General Assembly, UN Doc. A/C.1/50/PV.3, 16 October 1995, p. 12.
