International day dedicated to victims of armed conflicts
 

24 June 6-8 pm at Maison de la Paix (rue Eugène Rigot 2)
 

Armed drones are widely seen as the beginning of a trend that will lead to the use of systems capable of targeting and killing with complete autonomy and without human intervention. The precise delineation between an armed drone and a fully autonomous weapon system (sometimes termed a ‘killer robot’) is becoming less clear.

Only a few states are known to have used unmanned armed drones but an increasing number of states are seeking to acquire this technology. Armed drones are being acquired by armies and potentially by armed non-state actors for use in combat; while non-armed drones are used to assist humanitarian action in the field, for civilian rescue and law enforcement. The Panel will seek to explore the positive and negative impacts of these technologies. While some argue that these technologies can enhance humanitarian protection, others see any benefits outweighed by the negative effects of increasing resort to lethal force with attendant “collateral damage”.

The Panel will have the important task of reflecting on the implications of these new technologies for the application of international humanitarian law as well as for humanitarian action. Following the discussion among panellists, the moderator will open the floor for questions from the audience.

Opening Remarks

• Ambassador Valentin Zellweger, Head of the Directorate of Public International Law and Legal Advisor of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland

Panelists

• Ms. Christine Beerli, Vice-President, International Committee of the Red Cross
• Major General Adrian John Foster, United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations
• Professor Dario Floreano, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
• Ms. Mona Rishmawi, Chief of the Rule of Law and Equality Branch, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Mr. Josh Lyons, Satellite Imagery Analyst, Human Rights Watch

Moderator

• Professor Andrew Clapham, Director, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, Professor, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights is a joint academy of the Graduate Institute and the University of Geneva.

The discussion will be followed by a reception at the cafeteria of the Maison de la Paix.