Event information

13 November 2017, 13:15-14:45

Downloads

Flyer >

Autonomous Weapons Systems: What Constraints under International Law?

Event

Participants of CCW Informal Meeting of Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems. Participants of CCW Informal Meeting of Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems.

A Side Event co-organized with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs at the 2017 Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS)

What constraints and requirements do international humanitarian and human rights law place on the use and development of autonomous weapons systems? What role for the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW)?

The 2016 Fifth Review Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the CCW established a Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems to explore and agree on possible recommendations on options related to emerging technologies in the area of autonomous weapons systems, in the context of the objectives and purposes of the CCW. The GGE should consider, inter alia, the application of, and compliance with, the relevant legal principles and rules of international law, in particular international humanitarian law (IHL).

With a view to securing and facilitating compliance with international law and building on the previous Informal Meetings of Experts this side event intends to recapitulate relevant existing rules and principles as they apply in relation to autonomous weapons systems.

Based on the research studies ‘Defending the Boundary’ of the Geneva Academy and ‘War-Algorithm Accountability’ of the Harvard Law School Program on International Law and Armed Conflict the event will recall the substantive and procedural constraints and requirements on the use and development of autonomous weapons systems under international humanitarian and human rights law. It will also shed light on foundational protective interests and concerns underlying relevant international legal frameworks, including concepts of responsibility.

Following the presentations, the side event will allow for an exchange on the applicable legal framework, how its rules and principles apply to autonomous weapons systems and how compliance thereto could be ensured.

Moderator

  • Nikolas Stürchler, Head of the Section, International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Justice, Directorate of International Law, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Panellists

  • Maya Brehm, Researcher, Geneva Academy and Advisor, Article 36
  • Dustin A. Lewis, Senior Researcher, Harvard Law School Program on International Law and Armed Conflict

Sandwiches and Light Refreshments

Sandwiches and light refreshments will be provided.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Students of our MAS in Transitional Justice during a class News

Apply to our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law!

27 November 2023

Applications for the 2024–2025 academic year of our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law are open. They will run until 26 January 2024 for applications with a scholarship and until 24 February 2024 for applications without a scholarship.

Read more

Dr Harper at the panel on Afghanistan News

Dr Erica Harper Addresses Afghanistan's Complex Situation and the Role of Investigations at the UN Human Rights Council

19 October 2023

During the latest UN Human Rights Council session, our Head of Research and Policy Studies Dr Erica Harper presented at a side event the situation in Afghanistan.

Read more

Event

Launch – International Humanitarian Law Rules, Controversies, and Solutions to Problems Arising in Warfare, 2nd Edition

9 April 2024, 12:30-14:00

In this launch event, key experts will comment and dialogue with Professor Sassòli on specific aspects of the book, including naval warfare and the law of neutrality, sources of IHL, IHL and human rights, as well as the classification of armed conflict

Read more

Burning oil fields in Kuwait Event

The Prosecution of Ecocide and Other Environmental Crimes: State of the Law and Way(s) Forward

11 April 2024, 12:30-14:00

This IHL Talk will explore various issues related to the prosecution of ecocide and other environmental crimes.

Read more

Afghanistan, Parwan detention facility. Inside a room where detainees of the prison, separated by an acrylic glass, are allowed to meet with their families a couple of times per year with the help of the ICRC employees who facilitate the programme. Short Course

Preventing and Combating Terrorism

25 April - 17 May 2024

This online short course discusses the extent to which states may limit and/or derogate from their international human rights obligations in order to prevent and counter-terrorism and thus protect persons under their jurisdiction.

Read more

View of a session of the UN Human Rights Council Project

Human Rights Conversations

Started in January 2020

A series of events aimed at discussing contemporary issues and challenges related to the promotion and protection of human rights in Geneva and beyond.

Read more

Computer screen with warning: civilian infrastucture: do not attack Project

The Digitalization of Armed Conflict

Started in September 2020

This project will explore humanitarian consequences and protection needs caused by the digitalization of armed conflicts and the extent to which these needs are addressed by international law, especially international humanitarian law.

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Environmental Human Rights as a Tool in Early Warning and Conflict Prevention The Role of the Human Rights Council

published on January 2024

Erica Harper, Baïna Ubushieva

Read more

Cover page of the Research Brief Publication

The Evolving Neurotechnology Landscape: Examining the Role and Importance of Human Rights in Regulation

published on December 2023

Erica Harper

Read more