The Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, usually called the Geneva Protocol, is a treaty to ban the use of chemical and biological weapons. It was signed at Geneva on June 17, 1925 and was entered into force on February 8, 1928.
Germany first used chemical weapons in Ypres, Belgium in 1915 by releasing chlorine gas. The Treaty of Versailles included some provisions that banned Germany from either manufacturing or importing chemical weapons. Similiar treaties banned Austria, Bulgaria, and Hungary from chemical weapons.
At the end of World War I, the Allies wanted to reaffirm the Treaty of Versailles, and the United States introduced the Treaty of Washington. The United States Senate gave consent for ratification but it failed to enter into force. France objected to the submarine provisions the treaty and thus the treaty failed.
At the 1925 Geneva Conference for the Supervision of the International Traffic in Arms the French suggested a protocol for non-use of poisonous gases. Poland suggested the addition of bacteriological weapons. It was signed on June 17th.
Chemical Weapons Prohibitions
Date
Name
Effect
1675
Strasbourg Agreement
The first international agreement limiting the use of chemical weapons, in this case, poison bullets.
1874
Brussels Convention on the Law and Customs of War
Prohibited the employment of poison or poisoned weapons, and the use of arms, projectiles or material to cause unnecessary suffering.
1899
1st Peace Conference at the Hague
European Nations prohibited "the use of projectiles whose sole purpose is the release of asphyxiating or harmful gases"
1907
2nd Peace Conference at the Hague
The Conference added the use of poisons or poisoned weapons.
1922
Treaty of Washington
Failed because France objected to clauses relating to submarine warfare.
1925
Geneva Protocol
Prohibited the use of "asphyxiating gas, or any other kind of gas, liquids, substances or similar materials"
1972
Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention
Failed - 143 parties, but no verification mechanism
1993
Chemical Weapons Convention Signed
Comprehensive bans on development, production, stockpiling and use of Chemical Weapons, with destruction timelines.
1997
Chemical Weapons Convention come Into Force
Inspections begin.
Ratification Dates
A=Accession
R=Ratification
D=Declaration of Succession
Country
Date
Accession, Ratification, or Declaration of Succession
