UN and Red Cross Urge Binding Rules on Autonomous Weapons
UN and ICRC renew push for legally binding limits on autonomous weapons, citing rising civilian harm.
The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have issued a renewed joint appeal for countries to negotiate legally binding restrictions on autonomous weapons systems, commonly known as 'killer robots'. The call, made on Tuesday, builds on a similar appeal from three years ago and warns that the dangers have grown more acute.
Speaking in Geneva, Alessandra Vellucci, Director of UN Information Services, read a joint statement from UN Secretary-General António Guterres and ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric. The statement said the world is "dangerously close to crossing a moral red line" where machines could autonomously target humans.
The appeal stops short of demanding a total ban. Instead, it urges states to prohibit specific types of autonomous systems that pose the greatest risk of violating international humanitarian law, while placing restrictions on others. Laurent Gisel, Head of the ICRC's Arms and Conduct of Hostilities Unit, noted that such weapons are already being developed and used, and that the international community must now set clear boundaries.
Negotiations are expected to resume in November at the Seventh Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons in Geneva. Mélanie Régimbal of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs said more than a decade of technical work has laid the groundwork for formal talks. She stressed that the decision ultimately rests with member states, but that guardrails are urgently needed.
The joint statement also highlighted that weapons technology is advancing at "record speed," widening the gap between capability and regulation. It pointed to the use of drones and other autonomous systems in conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, and elsewhere as evidence that the issue is no longer hypothetical.
Both organisations emphasised that scientists and engineers developing these technologies have themselves raised alarms. "When the architects of this technology are calling for limits, states cannot afford to remain passive," the statement said, adding that "this year must mark a turning point."