Compliance Report by the Czech Republic for the Eight Review Conference
In line with the decision taken during the first Preparatory Committee meeting in April 2016
the Czech Republic provides information on national compliance with the BTWC obligations. As the
Czech Republic has been providing information on national compliance on regular basis, the input
should be considered as a technical update.
The former Czechoslovakia signed the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) on
10 April 1972 and ratified Convention on 30 April 1973. After the split of Czechoslovakia in January
1993, the Czech Republic undertook commitments to international law and on the 24 March 1993
became the member state of the BTWC.
Article I
The Czech Republic has never developed, produced, stockpiled or otherwise acquired or retained
(1) microbial or other biological agents, or toxins whatever their origin or method of production,
of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective or other
peaceful purposes;
(2) weapons, equipment or means of delivery designed to use such agents or toxins for hostile
purposes or in armed conflict.
Article II
The Czech Republic has never led an offensive biological research, development or
production programme and has never acquired biological weapons or their means of delivery.
Therefore provisions of Article II did not impose any obligation upon the Czech Republic.
Article III
The Czech Republic adheres to the obligation of Article III. Export of dual use items is
regulated through national legislation which is based on EU legislation [Regulation (EU) No. 388/2012
of the European Parliament and of the Council, amending Council Regulation (EC) No. 428/2009
setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use
items]. Rules for export and import of selected biological agents and toxins are also specified in Act
on some measures related to a ban on bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons (Act No.
281/2002 Coll., as amended).
Article IV
The obligations of Article I have been fully incorporated into Czech legal system by way of the
Act on Some Measures Related to Ban of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons in 2002.
There are also a number of other legislative measures and regulations that are closely connected to
objective of the Convention (area of biosafety, GMOs, dual-use items, export, import and transport
of biological agents and toxins). This legislation specifies penalties in case of its violation and
breaches are punishable under the Penal Code.
Detailed information on national implementation by the Czech Republic was supplied to
States Parties in working paper to the intersessional meeting “National implementation of the BTWC:
compliance assessment: update” - submitted by Canada, the Czech Republic and Switzerland
(BWC/MSP/2012/WP.6).
Article V
The Czech Republic has not invoked Article V and this Article has not been invoked against it.
The Czech Republic has never participated in consultations under Article V.
The Czech Republic fully supports the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to strengthen
the Convention adopted by the Second and Third Review Conferences of the States Parties. Since
1993, when the Czech Republic became a member state of the Convention, it has regularly
participated in the information exchange through CBMs. The Czech Republic has decided to make
CBMs returns public available on the web site of the UN Office at Geneva.
Article VI
The Czech Republic has not lodged any complaints with the Security Council regarding any
other States Parties acting in breach of obligations under the provisions of the Convention.
Article VII
See separate paper on Article VII
Article VIII
The former Czechoslovakia has ratified the 1925 Geneva Protocol on 16 August 1938.
Czechoslovakia has withdrawn its reservations to the Geneva Protocol on 25 September 1990. After
the split of Czechoslovakia in January 1993, the Czech Republic has undertaken commitments to
international law, and consequently to the Geneva Protocol.
Article IX
The Czech Republic has signed the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development,
Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction on 14 January 1993
and ratified it on 6 March 1996.
Article X
See separate paper on Article X