UN Human Rights Chief Calls for Immediate Regulation of Autonomous Weapons

Kathmandu. The United Nations Human Rights Chief has called on countries to immediately regulate 'autonomous weapons' systems.

"They can ensure that widespread criminal atrocities are not spread," he said. Speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN High Commissioner Volker Turk said, "The long-warned dangers regarding autonomous weapons are rapidly appearing."

He said, "We are seeing a global change in the way we wage war. This is a warning of danger for future generations." The United Nations has been warning against the development of lethal autonomous weapons for many years.

He pointed out that the rapid increase in the use of drones in wars in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, and Myanmar has made the earth a 'hell'.

He mentioned that "continuous drone attacks in Ukraine have caused 'a large number of casualties and terrorized civilians'."

He said, "The UN Human Rights Office has registered statistics of more than one thousand civilian deaths in drone attacks between January and May this year in Sudan." He also said that long-range drones have destroyed vehicles carrying supplies for aid and important energy infrastructure.

With artificial intelligence and rapid progress, experts are warning of the increasing risk of weapons. People may lose control over such weapons.

The UN Human Rights Chief said, "The potential of billions of dollars worth of AI-powered weapons and defensive shields highlights the horror, emptiness, and futility of war."

He said, "Autonomous weapons cannot become a license for crime."

Discussions have been ongoing for a decade about a potential future treaty to regulate the use of autonomous weapons, also known as killer robots, but it has not been finalized.

Countries will decide whether or not to start negotiations for a full treaty later this year.

Turk urged the international community to control the danger, adding, "States need to immediately consider the ethical and legal questions it raises," he said, "urging them to agree on a common vision to protect the lives of citizens and recommit to diplomacy and mediation."

He emphasized that they need to update legal frameworks to ensure human control and accountability.