Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare

Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare is observed on November 30 each year around the world. People gather to remember those who perished in chemical warfare and to raise awareness about efforts to eliminate chemical weapons, whose use is prohibited by international law.

History

Cesare Beccaria’s essay On Crimes and Punishments was a major influence on the movement to abolish the death penalty. In it, Beccaria argued that depriving someone of life and inflicting torture are wrong, that people are not property, that crime harms society, and that punishments are only legitimate if they prevent future wrongdoing. The essay was translated into many languages, sparking debate across Europe, and in 1786 Grand Duke Leopold II of Tuscany became the first head of state to abolish the death penalty.

The United Nations General Assembly established the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare in 2005. In 1997, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was founded to focus attention on preventing the development of chemical weapons. Germany was the first to use chemical agents during World War I, when 168 tons of chlorine gas were released in Belgium. Subsequently, the Soviet Red Army, Italy, Japan, and the United States all employed chemical weapons. The Chemical Weapons Convention was opened for signature in 1993 and entered into force in 1997, prohibiting both the use and production of chemical weapons indefinitely for all States Parties.

Interesting Facts

• Chemical weapons are classified as weapons of mass destruction, distinct from nuclear weapons.
• They were used extensively during World War I, leading to devastating casualties.
• Sarin, an organophosphorus nerve agent, was first synthesized in 1938 and later used during World War II.

How to Take Part

Find out what events are taking place in your city and attend. Pay tribute to the memory of the victims, spread the word so that these tragedies are not forgotten, and consider donating to organizations working to eliminate chemical weapons.

When is Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare in 2025?

Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare is observed on November 30 each year.

Observations