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principles of international humanitarian law (IHL)b must trump utilitarian calculations. Therefore, those who
believe the benefits of LAWS justify
their use and therefore oppose a ban,
are intent that LAWS do not become a
special case within IHL. Demonstrating that LAWS pose unique challenges
b Four principles of IHL provide protection
for civilians: distinction, necessity and proportionality, humane treatment, and nondiscrimination.
FROM APRIL 11–15, 2016, at the United Nations Office at Ge- neva, the Convention on Cer- tain Conventional Weapons (CCW) conducted a third year
of informal meetings to hear expert testimony regarding a preemptive ban on
lethal autonomous weapons systems
(LAWS). A total of 94 states attended the
meeting, and at the end of the week they
agreed by consensus to recommend the
formation of an open-ended Group of
Government Experts (GGE). A GGE is
the next step in forging a concrete proposal upon which the member states
could vote. By the end of 2016 a preemptive ban has been called for by 19 states.
Furthermore, meaningful human control,
a phrase first proposed by advocates for
a ban, has been adopted by nearly all
the states, although the phrase’s meaning is contested. Thus a ban on LAWS
would appear to have gained momentum. Even the large military powers,
notably the U.S., have publicly stated
that they will support a ban if that is
the will of the member states. Behind
the scenes, however, the principal powers express their serious disinclination
to embrace a ban. Many of the smaller
states will follow their lead. The hurdles
in the way of a successful campaign to
ban LAWS remain daunting, but are not
insurmountable.
The debate to date has been charac-
terized by a succession of arguments
and counterarguments by proponents
and opponents of a ban. This back
and forth should not be interpreted as
either a stalemate or a simple calcula-
tion as to whether the harms of LAWS
can be offset by their benefits. For all
states that are signatories to the laws
of armed conflict,a any violation of the
a LOAC, also known as International Humani-
tarian Law (IHL), is codified in the Geneva
Conventions and additional Protocols. The
laws seek to limit the effects of armed conflict,
particularly the protection of non-combatants.
Viewpoint
Toward a Ban on Lethal
Autonomous Weapons:
Surmounting the Obstacles
A 10-point plan toward fashioning a proposal to ban some—if not all—lethal
autonomous weapons.
DOI: 10.1145/2998579
The Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System is an unmanned ground vehicle for
reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions.