UN and Red Cross call for international rules on autonomous weapons systems
- The UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross have intensified their call for countries to adopt bans and restrictions on autonomous weapons systems, often referred to as 'killer robots.'
- They warn that the risks associated with these systems have intensified, although they stop short of calling for a blanket ban.
- The organizations emphasize the need to protect civilians as the development of such weapons continues.
- A conference in Geneva in November aims to strengthen existing regulations on conventional weapons, providing a potential path toward binding legal rules on autonomous systems.
- The development of autonomous weapons is progressing rapidly, raising concerns about the moral implications of machines targeting humans.
The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross have called for countries to implement bans and restrictions on the use of autonomous weapons systems, warning that the risks have intensified. This appeal builds on an initial call made three years ago and highlights the rapid development of such technologies without confirming their use in combat.
UN spokesperson Alessandra Vellucci emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the world is dangerously close to a moral red line regarding machines autonomously targeting humans. The joint statement from UN Secretary-General António Guterres and ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric reiterated the need for protective measures for civilians.
As negotiators prepare to meet in Geneva in November to discuss strengthening the Convention on Conventional Weapons, the UN and ICRC believe this conference could pave the way for binding legal regulations on autonomous weapons. The ongoing development of these technologies has raised concerns about the gap between technological advancements and existing regulatory frameworks.
联合国和红十字会呼吁制定国际规则以限制自主武器系统
联合国和国际红十字会呼吁各国实施对自主武器系统的禁令和限制，警告称相关风险已经加剧。这一呼吁建立在三年前首次提出的基础上，强调了此类技术的快速发展，但并未确认其在战斗中的使用。
联合国发言人阿莱桑德拉·维卢奇强调了这一情况的紧迫性，指出世界正危险地接近机器自主针对人类的道德红线。联合国秘书长安东尼奥·古特雷斯和国际红十字会会长米兰雅·斯波尔贾里奇的联合声明重申了保护平民的必要性。
随着谈判人员准备于11月在日内瓦会面，讨论加强《常规武器公约》，联合国和国际红十字会认为此次会议可能为自主武器的具有约束力的法律法规铺平道路。这些技术的持续发展引发了对技术进步与现有监管框架之间差距的担忧。