Criminalizing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear crimes in Moldova

On November 7-8, 2024, a workshop was held in Chișinău, Moldova, as part of the pilot project funded by the European Union (EU) titled "Strengthening Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Investigation, Prosecution, and Adjudication Capabilities in Moldova." This initiative, financed by the European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) aims to support Moldova in bolstering national capacity to address CBRN crimes. It focuses on enhancing both the legal frameworks and response capabilities. The training sessions were developed based on two essential guidebooks: A Prosecutor's Guide to Chemical and Biological Crimes and A Prosecutor's Guide to Radiological and Nuclear Crimes.

The workshop's primary focus was to assist Moldovan stakeholders in identifying the country's specific challenges, strengths, and priorities for criminalizing CBRN-related offenses in accordance with international obligations and legal frameworks. Over two days, the workshop on CBRN criminalization was conducted by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) under the framework of the European Union's CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative. The event was held in close coordination with international organizations responsible for advancing the relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, including:
• Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
• Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC ISU)

A total of thirty-two trainees participated in the workshop, gaining an in-depth understanding of the international legal instruments and frameworks governing CBRN-related crimes. This included learning about the development and review of national legislation, the criminalization and classification of CBRN offenses, the adaptation of national regulations, and the roles of international organizations that provide assistance and support in these areas. These joint activities fostered collaboration among Moldova's national institutions, facilitating the exchange of experiences and enhancing awareness of the importance of working closely with relevant international bodies.
Participants, including prosecutors, judges, police officers, investigators, and other key judicial and law enforcement officials, engaged in a series of informative sessions covering critical international legal instruments. These included the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1540, the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT), the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its Amendment, as well as other key instruments. During the sessions, model national laws and legislative frameworks designed to support these international obligations were actively examined and discussed with participants.

The workshop also marked the first joint initiative of several international organizations - including the OPCW, IAEA, UNODC, UNODA, and UNICRI - offering a "one-stop-shop" approach by consolidating all relevant information and resources for the successful implementation of CBRN criminalization measures in a single event. This innovative format brought CBRN criminalization issues closer to the partner countries, allowing for more streamlined collaboration. Following the workshop's successful conclusion, these "UN-family" organizations agreed to continue expanding this collaborative approach, recognizing its potential to benefit partner countries in the future.

Experienced subject matter experts and practitioners from five international organizations, together with other key stakeholders shared valuable insights and best practices, addressing both the legal and practical aspects of CBRN criminalization. This collaboration underscores a coordinated national and international effort to strengthen Moldova's readiness in tackling CBRN-related crimes. Following the effective workshop held in Moldova, similar training sessions are planned for other countries.

The workshop highlighted Moldova's strong commitment to fulfilling its obligations under various international legal frameworks and to enhancing its CBRN response and prevention capabilities. Trainees gained a clear understanding of the critical role of CBRN criminalization. They recognized that without proper legislation, regulations, and procedures, the justice system cannot effectively hold perpetrators accountable. The ultimate goal of the initiative is to integrate both the theoretical and practical modules of the training into Moldova's national curriculum, ensuring long-term sustainability and impact.