Indonesia Prepares Chemical Weapons Law

Indonesian lawmakers have begun to draft legislation to bring the country into line with its commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Antara News Agency reported yesterday (see GSN, June 5).

The nation joined the weapon-banning treaty in 1998.  While it has produced at least one chemical that could be used in warfare — phosphor — it has not produced any weapons, said Industry Minister Fahmi Idris.

“We already have various regulations on the use of hazardous chemicals but do not have a regulation on the use of chemicals as weapons,” he said.

The legislation would designate allowed and prohibited uses and transport of chemicals.  It would also establish reporting requirements on facilities regarding the production, storage and use of chemicals.

Under the law, Indonesia would also designate a national authority to work with other treaty states and the treaty’s monitoring body, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The Hague-based agency from 2004 to 2008 conducted inspections of five fertilizer producers and a methanol plant (Antara News Agency, June 13).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.