‘New Geneva Convention’ needed to tackle the rise of robot weapons technology
▶ International Red Cross says that automated weapons pose new threats
The International Committee of the Red Cross has set up a special unit to study the rise of robot and cyber warfare and an international treaty governing their use may be required, a senior official said.
Yahia Alibi, head of the regional delegation for the GCC, said that the rise of autonomous weapons is a primary area of concern and “a huge challenge facing international humanitarian law”.
Such weapons include land, air and sea systems that can independently search and engage targets based on their programming. These weapons are also known as lethal autonomous robots, and there have been calls for them to be banned.
Existing military regulations make vital distinctions between civilian and military targets. But there are fears that a robot will not be able to differentiate between combatant and civilian. “Autonomous weapons raise fears that humans could lose control and this would go against the basic requirements of law, such as accountability,” Mr Alibi said at the Senior Workshop on International Rules Governing Military Operations, being held in Abu Dhabi.
He suggested a new Geneva Convention could be required to deal with the issue.
The 1949 conventions were founded on principles such as treating prisoners of war humanely, giving those wounded in battle medical treatment, protecting medical staff and hospitals in war zones, and looking after civilians.
But the rapid recent expansion of autonomous weapons has left the international community struggling to catch up and agree on new rules governing their use.
The UN has established a group of government experts to examine emerging technologies that autonomous weapons might utilise, and the challenges they might pose.
One of the key issues they found is that human responsibility for decisions on the use of weapons systems must be retained “since accountability cannot be transferred to machines”, the group said in its report in August.
Another concern is the “risk of acquisition by terrorist groups and the risk of proliferation”.
Mr Alibi said the Red Cross is engaging with some countries to explain the problems they were facing on this issue.
A new Geneva Convention could be required to tackle the unrestricted rise of robot and cyber warfare, an official from the International Committee of the Red Cross has said.
There is no international treaty governing autonomous weapons and new rules may be needed to ensure responsibility is not transferred from people to machines, Yahia Alibi, head of the regional delegation for the GCC, told The National.
“It is a huge challenge facing international humanitarian law,” Mr Alibi said.
Existing military rules make vital distinctions between civilian and military targets. But there are fears that a robot will not be able to do that.
“Autonomous weapons raise fears that humans could lose control and this would go against the basic requirements of law, such as accountability,” Mr Alibi said.
“It is forbidden to target civilian assets. How can new weapons understand this? Militaries have to respect that rule and responsibility cannot be transferred to machine.”
Mr Alibi was speaking at a high-level military event that started yesterday in Abu Dhabi, which will discuss the laws of war.
The event is being held in the Middle East for the first time this week. Almost 150 high-ranking officers from more than 80 countries gathered in the capital to discuss military rules, the rise of new technology and protecting the dignity of people whose lives have been torn apart by conflict.
The three 1949 conventions were founded on principles such as treating prisoners of war in a humane way, giving those wounded in battle medical treatment, protecting medical staff and hospitals in war zones, and keeping civilians safe.
But the recent rapid expansion of autonomous weapons has left the international community struggling to catch up and agree on new rules governing their use.
The committee established a special unit to look at the issue.
“We are engaging with states to tell them we have a problem here,” Mr Alibi said.
The conference is convened by the committee and workshops will be held over the week in Arabic and other languages to discuss changes in war and how law is applied on the battlefield.
“The reality we live in means armed conflicts are a problem for the whole world, especially the Middle East,” said Maj Gen Falah Al Qahtani, of the policy and strategic affairs section at the Ministry of Defence, which is co-hosting the event. “We respect international law and it is the duty of officers and soldiers to abide by these laws.”
Instructors leading the workshops are also military officers and the focus is on integrating international humanitarian legislation into combat and policing operations.
“The hope is the officers walk away with an understanding of the law set against the challenges they face on the battlefield,” said Kenneth Hume, head of the armed forces unit at the committee.
“It is not enough to know the law. It is not enough to have classroom instruction. Law has to be integrated into military doctrine, training and education, and there has to be a sanctions system.
“We are there to support militaries to do that.”
The conference also provides expertise on the committee’s global mission, its significance and role in international conflicts.
The event continues at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi until Thursday.