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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Costa Rica
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Stopping Killer Robots
Country Positions on Banning Fully Autonomous Weapons and Retaining Human Control
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News
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General Statement to the Convention on Conventional Weapons GGE Meeting on Lethal Autonomous Weapons
Delivered by Bonnie Docherty, Senior Researcher
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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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Latin America and Caribbean Nations Rally Against Autonomous Weapons Systems
Regional Solidarity Crucial in Future Treaty Negotiations
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Statement to Convention on Conventional Weapons GGE Meeting on Lethal Autonomous Weapons System
Delivered by Mary Wareham, Advocacy Director
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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
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US: New Policy on Autonomous Weapons Flawed
National Policy, New Law Needed to Address Grave Dangers
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Statement on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems to the CCW Annual Meeting
Delivered by Mary Wareham, Advocacy Director
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Killer Robots: Negotiate Treaty in New Forum
Delaying Needed Law Endangers Civilians, Generates Insecurity
