UN and Red Cross step up call for international rules on ‘killer robot’ weapons systems

GENEVA (AP) — The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross on Tuesday issued a joint call for nations to implement bans and restrictions on the use of autonomous weapons systems, warning that "the risks have intensified." Building on an initial appeal three years ago and ongoing international talks, the appeal falls short of advocating for a complete ban but acknowledges the development of such weapons systems, though the U.N. and Red Cross have not confirmed their deployment on the battlefield.

"We are now dangerously close to crossing a moral red line: The autonomous targeting of humans by machines," said U.N. Geneva spokesperson Alessandra Vellucci, quoting a joint statement by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric. "Today, we renew this call with even greater urgency," the statement added, emphasizing that while the fundamental concerns remain the same, the risks have become more pressing.

The organizations note that the rapid pace of weapons technology development has strained existing international rules and widened the gap between technological capabilities and regulatory constraints. "Autonomous weapons systems are not part of a distant future — a race toward greater autonomy in weapons systems is already well underway," the joint statement declared.

The call comes as negotiators prepare to convene in Geneva in November to explore ways of strengthening the existing Convention on Conventional Weapons. The U.N. and ICRC argue that this forum represents the most viable pathway to establishing binding legal norms on the use of autonomous systems. The ongoing effort to curb the use of these lethal autonomous weapons has faced significant obstacles, with recent progress limited.

The organizations stress that "scientists and engineers developing these systems have themselves raised the alarm," urging states not to remain passive in the face of this technological advancement. "This year must mark a turning point," the statement concluded, urging decisive action to protect civilians and uphold democratic principles in the face of these emerging threats.