Oslo: The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday announced the Nobel Peace Prize for 2013 which has been awarded to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.
Here is the full text of the announcement of Nobel Peace Prize 2013:
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for
2013 is to be awarded to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical
Weapons (OPCW) for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.
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.
Oslo, 11 October 2013
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