Killer Robots
Fully autonomous weapons, also known as "killer robots," would be able to select and engage targets without meaningful human control. Precursors to these weapons, such as armed drones, are being developed and deployed by nations including China, Israel, South Korea, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. There are serious doubts that fully autonomous weapons would be capable of meeting international humanitarian law standards, including the rules of distinction, proportionality, and military necessity, while they would threaten the fundamental right to life and principle of human dignity. Human Rights Watch calls for a preemptive ban on the development, production, and use of fully autonomous weapons. Human Rights Watch is a founding member and serves as global coordinator of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots.
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Global
May 2, 2024
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France
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Global
January 3, 2024
Videos
Videos-
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August 10, 2020
Stopping Killer Robots
Country Positions on Banning Fully Autonomous Weapons and Retaining Human Control
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News
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October 6, 2023
Protect Humanity from Killer Robots
UN Chief, International Red Cross President Urge Ban on Autonomous Weapons Systems
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July 7, 2023
Video: Weapons Explainer Series
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June 6, 2023
Palestinian Forum Highlights Threats of Autonomous Weapons
Forum Tackles Digital Rights Abuses Against Palestinians
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May 15, 2023
General Statement to the Convention on Conventional Weapons GGE Meeting on Lethal Autonomous Weapons
Delivered by Bonnie Docherty, Senior Researcher
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March 8, 2023
Expert Panel on the Social and Humanitarian Impact of Autonomous Weapons at the Latin American and Caribbean Conference on Autonomous Weapons
Delivered by Bonnie Docherty, Senior Researcher
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March 6, 2023
Latin America and Caribbean Nations Rally Against Autonomous Weapons Systems
Regional Solidarity Crucial in Future Treaty Negotiations
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March 6, 2023
Statement to Convention on Conventional Weapons GGE Meeting on Lethal Autonomous Weapons System
Delivered by Mary Wareham, Advocacy Director
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March 3, 2023
Digital Dehumanization Paves Way for Killer Robots
Momentum Building for New International Law
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February 22, 2023
Japan Parliament Inquiry on "Building a New International Order – War, Peace, and Solution in the 21st Century"
Testimony on the subtheme of "Disarmament and Non-Proliferation" by Kanae Doi, Human Rights Watch on 22 February 2023