OPCW, chemical weapons watchdog in Syria, wins Nobel Peace Prize

Oslo: The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the body overseeing Syrian chemical weapons destruction, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2013.

Experts from the Hague-based global chemical weapons watchdog, supported by the United Nations, aim to help destroy Syria's chemical weapons production facilities and weapons-filling equipment by November 1. Under a Russian-US deal struck last month, Syria's entire chemicals arms programme is due to be eliminated by mid-2014.

The Nobel Prize will be presented in Oslo on December 10, the anniversary of the death of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, who founded the awards in his 1895 will.

A record 259 candidates, including 50 organisations, had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.

Why OPCW got the Nobel Peace Prize 2013

During World War One, chemical weapons were used to a considerable degree. The Geneva Convention of 1925 prohibited the use, but not the production or storage, of chemical weapons. During World War Two, chemical means were employed in Hitler's mass exterminations. Chemical weapons have subsequently been put to use on numerous occasions by both states and terrorists. In 1992-93 a convention was drawn up prohibiting also the production and storage of such weapons. It came into force in 1997. Since then the OPCW has, through inspections, destruction and by other means, sought the implementation of the convention. 189 states have acceded to the convention to date.

The conventions and the work of the OPCW have defined the use of chemical weapons as a taboo under international law. Recent events in Syria, where chemical weapons have again been put to use, have underlined the need to enhance the efforts to do away with such weapons. Some states are still not members of the OPCW. Certain states have not observed the deadline, which was April 2012, for destroying their chemical weapons. This applies especially to the USA and Russia.

Disarmament figures prominently in Alfred Nobel's will. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has through numerous prizes underlined the need to do away with nuclear weapons. By means of the present award to the OPCW, the Committee is seeking to contribute to the elimination of chemical weapons.

(With additional information from Reuters)