Abstract

HURTADO GRANADA, Martha Isabel. The Strictures of IHL Against Autonomous Weapons. Rev. Cient. Gen. José María Córdova [online]. 2017, vol.15, n.20, pp.85-100. ISSN 1900-6586.  https://doi.org/10.21830/19006586.176.

The autonomous weapons are intended to identify and attack targets independently without human intervention. For now, such systems are in fixed positions and work for short periods and with limited objectives, but in the future these weapons could be operated outside these limits. Clearly, the Humanitarian Law (IHL) has not positive rule that limits the use of these weapons and new technologies call into question who wages war, machines or humans? In the laws governing war new technologies they are not expressly prohibited or regulated within the limits determined IHL principles. Therefore, distinguish between combatants and noncombatants, the fact preserves the lives of noncombatants or those who have stopped fighting would be possibly determined by a machine. Moreover, International Humanitarian Law gives preference to weapons so make more precise attacks to reduce incidental loss of life and unnecessary suffering. However, the advantages of such weapons depends on its context, the debate is to determine to what extent the effects of these weapons are framed on the principles of IHL.

Keywords : autonomous weapons; ethics; humanitarian principles; International Humanitarian Law; strictures of IHL.

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