General Assembly I
QUESTION OF ELIMINATION OF
WHITE PHOSPHORUS WEAPONS
Seung Youn (Ashley) Shin
Lead Chair of GA I
Introduction
Chemical Weapons have been used in warfare for centuries, and since the discovery of
phosphorus in the 1600s, humans have been using the substance for various activities and
products.
A particular variant of the phosphorus, the white phosphorus (WP), is mainly used for
signaling and marking purposes in warfare. However, some nations, within the last few decades,
have been utilizing WP with a different intent- to kill. The WP may affect enemy soldiers, but
innocent civilians as well.
Protocols are already in place, however, non-signatories and problems with implementation
of conventions and protocols still remain. Furthermore, WP is used throughout society in
various household goods, making the process more difficult.
It is important that a solution can be found in which nations can still use WP for their
original purposes such as cleaning products and marking in warfare without damaging other
soldiers or even civilians.
Definition of Key Terms
• Munitions: Defined as “weapons and ammunition used in war”.
• Incendiary Weapon: Defined as “weapons designed to destroy
objects of harm people through flame, heat or a combination
produced by a chemical reaction”. These weapons include white
phosphorus.
• White Phosphorus: Used for signaling, screening, and incendiary
purposes. When used, it can hinder the opponent’s vision but
also destroy equipment as it is highly flammable. It can cause
severe chemical burns.
• Chemical Weapons: A device that uses chemicals specifically
designed to hurt or kill others.
• Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC): Arms Control Treaty that
outlaws the use, transport, stockpile and production of chemical
weapons.
• Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCWC): Created in
1980 to prohibit use of modern weapons such as incendiary
weapons (Protocol III). Does not include an enforcement
article.
Topic Summary: History
Phosphorus was first discovered by an alchemist named
Henning Brandt in 1669. However, the first time white
phosphorus was used in explicitly in war was during
World War I. The American, Commonwealth and
Japanese had used bombs and other weapons containing
the material. The chemical was also used later in World
War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. In those
cases, they were mostly used as incendiary weapons and
signalers.
White phosphorus is not considered a chemical weapon
under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) if it is
used in non-harmful activities such as signaling. When the
toxic properties of white phosphorus is used, then it is
considered a chemical weapon.
Surprisingly, white phosphorus is used in a variety of
different products, such as food additives, fertilizers and
cleaning compounds. Since it is used in daily goods, it will
be impossible to completely ban this chemical.
Topic Summary: Effects & Cases
White Phosphorus can be dangerous, especially when
used against people. The firing of the white phosphorus
results in chemical burn injuries, usually of second to
third degree. Once a person comes into contact with the
phosphorus, the phosphorus will continue to burn until
the chemical is used up.
Despite these severe effects, there have been many
modern instances of nations using white phosphorus
against other armies and even against civilians.
Most notably, in 2004, during a military offensive against
the Iraq city of Fallujah, the United States was known to
have used white phosphorus as an incendiary weapon.
The attack was rumored to have affected civilians as
well.
Topic Summary: Issue
The use of white phosphorus is dealt with in the Protocol III of the Convention on Conventional
Weapons. The protocol defines incendiary weapons as “any weapon or munitions primarily designed
to set fire to objects or to cause burn injuries to persons through the actions of flame, heat, or
combination thereof ”, and restricts use of these weapons in warfare.
The Chemical Weapons Convention also banned the development, transfer, and use of chemical
weapons, and mandated the destruction of existing chemical weapons. However, white phosphorus is
not considered a chemical weapon, unless it is specifically used for malicious intent.
The problem with these international conventions is that a few of the important parties have not
signed nor ratified the conventions. This includes nations such as Israel and Myanmar, who have used
chemical weapons in the past, but also, South Sudan, North Korea, Egypt, Vietnam and Angola. The
non-universality of these conventions undermines the stringent control of the use of white
phosphorus.
Also, stockpiles of white phosphorus exist in the world, owned by many nations, such as the UK, that
have already signed protocols prohibiting the use and spread of the WP weapons. It is crucial to
establish and ensure that these stockpiles are not used during wartime.
Major Parties Involved
Israel: Israel has used chemical weapons in the past, most notably in Lebanon in 2006, and Gaza in
2009. Israel also has not ratified the CWC.
United States: Although the United States has signed the Protocol III and CWC, has been accused of
using white phosphorus against Iraq and Afghanistan.
Myanmar: Myanmar police deployed white phosphorus weapons against a protest 2012. Like Israel, it
has not ratified the CWC, putting it at a risk of using WP in the future.
Russia: In 1995, the Russian army deployed in Grozny would use white phosphorus weapons.
Syria: In 2012-2013, it was rumored that WP weapons had been used in Syria.
United Kingdom: United Kingdom’s minister admitted to owning stockpiles of white phosphorus in
2009. These situations are particularly alarming, as the weapons on still on hand. UK has signed all
protocols related to WP.
Human Rights Watch: The HRW has been working to try to ban use of all incendiary weapons on
civilians through strengthening the Protocol III, but also looking at a complete ban of the substance.
Timeline
1916, Members from a workers’ union were convicted for plotting to use phosphorus.
1944, The US battalion alone uses white phosphorus during World War II. It was used throughout
the war on both sides, the Allied and the Axis.
1980, Convention of Certain Conventional Weapons restricts use of harmful incendiary weapons
during wars and conflict.
1988, Saddam Hussein’s regime uses white phosphorus during the Iran-Iraq War.
1992, The Chemicals Weapons Convention prohibits production, stockpiling, movement and use of
chemicals and calls for the existing stockpiles to be destroyed.
2004, US armies used white phosphorus and other chemicals and explosives to bomb buildings in a
famous incident in Fallujah, Iraq.
2008, Israeli military uses white phosphorus during the Gaza War.
UN Involvement
Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which
may be deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to have Indiscriminate Effects (CCWC), Protocol III
(Incendiary Weapons).
Chemical Weapons Convention.
Participation in the CCWC
(2009)
Possible Solutions
1. Universally signed protocol
The problem with the protocols not being universally signed is that some nations still possess
chemical weapons, including white phosphorus. All nations are subject to conventions made by the
OPCW, except a few nations that still have not agreed on any protocol. To eliminate further white
phosphorus usage, setting up incentives for nations to sign the existing protocols will be beneficial
for the international community. Also, more action may need to be taken so that countries already
signed onto protocols do not use white phosphorus in the future. The CCWC does not have many
enforcement forces nor systems in place.
2. Find and utilize an alternative
Unfortunately, white phosphorus, although a potentially deathly chemical, is difficult to prohibit.
This is because the substance is used often in daily living equipment such as food additives and
cleaning compounds. Therefore, the existence of white phosphorus itself cannot be banned
without stakes in daily living equipment. Alternatives to white phosphorus that can be used in these
everyday products that are not as dangerous, could also be a good way to further counter the use of
this harmful substance.
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