China Coronavirus Bioweapon Conspiracy Theory: The Application of International Humanitarian Law by States

Abstract

Rumors are circulating about China's deliberate plan to make the Coronavirus a bioweapon. These rumors cannot be discountenanced because the science and technologies designed for benign purposes can also be misused. The response of IHL to an unproven rumor is mainly conducting investigations to ascertain the validity of the rumors. However, if it later turned out China deliberately contemplated the Coronavirus to be a biological weapon as an attack against any country, the response of IHL lies in various statutory instruments and retaliatory actions from other States. More options available to indivduals and States are explained in this publication.

Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, China, Wuhan, Conspiracy, Donald Trump, World Heath Organization