SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
Liz O'Sullivan (left) with the International Committee for Robot Arms Control, Mary Wareham (center), global coordinator of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, and Jody Williams (right), founding coordinator of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) attend an October 21, 2019 press conference on the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots at United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Noting that countries have been discussing a treaty banning autonomous weapons systems for nearly a decade "with no tangible results," Human Rights Watch on Thursday renewed calls--and outlined alternative strategies--for a global agreement prohibiting the development of so-called "killer robots."
"A new international treaty that addresses autonomous weapons systems needs a more appropriate forum for negotiations."
The 40-page report, which was co-published with Harvard Law School's International Human Rights Clinic, posits that "rather than accepting continuing stagnation" while trying to reach a deal within the framework of the United Nations Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), proponents of a legally binding instrument for banning killer robots should try something new.
"The longer the killer robots issue stays stuck in the current forum, the more time developers of autonomous weapons systems have to hone new technologies and achieve commercial viability," HRW senior arms researcher Bonnie Docherty said in a statement. "A new treaty would help stem arms races and avoid proliferation by stigmatizing the removal of human control."
"A new international treaty that addresses autonomous weapons systems needs a more appropriate forum for negotiations," Docherty, who is also associate director of armed conflict and civilian protection at the Human Rights Clinic, added. "There's ample precedent to show that an alternative process to create legal rules on killer robots is viable and desirable, and countries need to act now to keep pace with technological developments."
\u201cA new international treaty to prohibit & restrict autonomous weapons systems is necessary & urgent https://t.co/CwftxxWtSC #KillerRobots It's achievable if negotiated in a new forum, outside #CCWUN auspices\u201d— Mary Wareham (@Mary Wareham) 1668094878
HRW proposes negotiating a killer robot ban via the United Nations General Assembly--how the landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons began life--or even independently from the U.N. altogether, an avenue that led to the treaties banning anti-personnel land mines and cluster munitions.
According to HRW:
In October, 70 countries expressed their support for "internationally agreed rules and limits" on autonomous weapons systems in a joint statement to the U.N. General Assembly's First Committee on Disarmament and International Security.
There have also been more expressions of support for regulation from industry. In October, Boston Dynamics and five other robotics companies pledged not to weaponize their advanced mobile robots and called on others to "make similar pledges not to build, authorize, support, or enable the attachment of weaponry to such robots."
The October statement stressed that a killer robot accord is "necessary, urgent, and achievable." However, major military powers including the United States and Russia oppose such a treaty.
"With major military powers getting ever closer to developing these dangerous systems, alternative options need to be pursued," the HRW report concludes. "It is time for states to initiate a process elsewhere to negotiate a new treaty on autonomous weapons systems."
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Noting that countries have been discussing a treaty banning autonomous weapons systems for nearly a decade "with no tangible results," Human Rights Watch on Thursday renewed calls--and outlined alternative strategies--for a global agreement prohibiting the development of so-called "killer robots."
"A new international treaty that addresses autonomous weapons systems needs a more appropriate forum for negotiations."
The 40-page report, which was co-published with Harvard Law School's International Human Rights Clinic, posits that "rather than accepting continuing stagnation" while trying to reach a deal within the framework of the United Nations Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), proponents of a legally binding instrument for banning killer robots should try something new.
"The longer the killer robots issue stays stuck in the current forum, the more time developers of autonomous weapons systems have to hone new technologies and achieve commercial viability," HRW senior arms researcher Bonnie Docherty said in a statement. "A new treaty would help stem arms races and avoid proliferation by stigmatizing the removal of human control."
"A new international treaty that addresses autonomous weapons systems needs a more appropriate forum for negotiations," Docherty, who is also associate director of armed conflict and civilian protection at the Human Rights Clinic, added. "There's ample precedent to show that an alternative process to create legal rules on killer robots is viable and desirable, and countries need to act now to keep pace with technological developments."
\u201cA new international treaty to prohibit & restrict autonomous weapons systems is necessary & urgent https://t.co/CwftxxWtSC #KillerRobots It's achievable if negotiated in a new forum, outside #CCWUN auspices\u201d— Mary Wareham (@Mary Wareham) 1668094878
HRW proposes negotiating a killer robot ban via the United Nations General Assembly--how the landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons began life--or even independently from the U.N. altogether, an avenue that led to the treaties banning anti-personnel land mines and cluster munitions.
According to HRW:
In October, 70 countries expressed their support for "internationally agreed rules and limits" on autonomous weapons systems in a joint statement to the U.N. General Assembly's First Committee on Disarmament and International Security.
There have also been more expressions of support for regulation from industry. In October, Boston Dynamics and five other robotics companies pledged not to weaponize their advanced mobile robots and called on others to "make similar pledges not to build, authorize, support, or enable the attachment of weaponry to such robots."
The October statement stressed that a killer robot accord is "necessary, urgent, and achievable." However, major military powers including the United States and Russia oppose such a treaty.
"With major military powers getting ever closer to developing these dangerous systems, alternative options need to be pursued," the HRW report concludes. "It is time for states to initiate a process elsewhere to negotiate a new treaty on autonomous weapons systems."
Noting that countries have been discussing a treaty banning autonomous weapons systems for nearly a decade "with no tangible results," Human Rights Watch on Thursday renewed calls--and outlined alternative strategies--for a global agreement prohibiting the development of so-called "killer robots."
"A new international treaty that addresses autonomous weapons systems needs a more appropriate forum for negotiations."
The 40-page report, which was co-published with Harvard Law School's International Human Rights Clinic, posits that "rather than accepting continuing stagnation" while trying to reach a deal within the framework of the United Nations Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), proponents of a legally binding instrument for banning killer robots should try something new.
"The longer the killer robots issue stays stuck in the current forum, the more time developers of autonomous weapons systems have to hone new technologies and achieve commercial viability," HRW senior arms researcher Bonnie Docherty said in a statement. "A new treaty would help stem arms races and avoid proliferation by stigmatizing the removal of human control."
"A new international treaty that addresses autonomous weapons systems needs a more appropriate forum for negotiations," Docherty, who is also associate director of armed conflict and civilian protection at the Human Rights Clinic, added. "There's ample precedent to show that an alternative process to create legal rules on killer robots is viable and desirable, and countries need to act now to keep pace with technological developments."
\u201cA new international treaty to prohibit & restrict autonomous weapons systems is necessary & urgent https://t.co/CwftxxWtSC #KillerRobots It's achievable if negotiated in a new forum, outside #CCWUN auspices\u201d— Mary Wareham (@Mary Wareham) 1668094878
HRW proposes negotiating a killer robot ban via the United Nations General Assembly--how the landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons began life--or even independently from the U.N. altogether, an avenue that led to the treaties banning anti-personnel land mines and cluster munitions.
According to HRW:
In October, 70 countries expressed their support for "internationally agreed rules and limits" on autonomous weapons systems in a joint statement to the U.N. General Assembly's First Committee on Disarmament and International Security.
There have also been more expressions of support for regulation from industry. In October, Boston Dynamics and five other robotics companies pledged not to weaponize their advanced mobile robots and called on others to "make similar pledges not to build, authorize, support, or enable the attachment of weaponry to such robots."
The October statement stressed that a killer robot accord is "necessary, urgent, and achievable." However, major military powers including the United States and Russia oppose such a treaty.
"With major military powers getting ever closer to developing these dangerous systems, alternative options need to be pursued," the HRW report concludes. "It is time for states to initiate a process elsewhere to negotiate a new treaty on autonomous weapons systems."